Blue Brain

Do neurons dream of electric sheep?

By: Michael R. Rink

Main Points
Objectives

of the Project Data Collection Model Expected Consequences Future Work

Objectives

Phase 1: 1cm^3 NCC June 6, 2005 November 26, 2007 Detailed Cellular scale (10,000 neurons) Full Neocortex Modular Atomic (days/ms), Genetic (another 5-10 years) Cellular 100,000 Point Source -100 million (mouse brain)

Full Mammal Brain

2 years Emergent behavior

Learning/

self-wiring

Interact with environment

Japanese

built robot rat Whole new models to connect sensory cortex to hardware

Full Human Brain

Need speed increase of ~10million fold Algorithm improvements 100-1,000 fold ASICS 1,000-10,000 fold Multi-core & Multi-threading are really useful

On Going Data Collection

Decades of research on 2 year old rat somatosensory cortex Hundreds of new data points a day 50% success rate

Fig A. Patch Clamp Robot

Blue Column 1
The microcircuits (from left to right) for layers 2, 3, 4 and 5

Blue Column 2

A single thick tufted layer 5 pyramidal neuron located within the column. c | One pyramidal neuron in layer 2, a small pyramidal neuron in layer 5 and the large thick tufted pyramidal neuron in layer 5. d | An image of the NCC, with neurons located in layers 2 to 5.

Blue Column Construction

Model the 3d neuron Repair defects from in vitro preparation

Patch

clamping damages the cell

Insert 12+ ion channels in each component compartment based on HH models & studies
October

2005 Petilla Classification Convention

Each neuron is unique within statistically determined bounds procedurally generated Stored in database after creation Each layer procedurally generated from database then shifted/rotated to avoid collisions
Generating

the column takes longer than running it Simulation runs at 1/100th real time

Individual synapses functionalized and plasticized with learning algorithms Map Neuron to Processor 1:1 10:1
Axons

mapped onto inter-processor communications

Expected Consequences

Each NCC will be unique

Hopefully,

NCC output will approach convergence NCCs will begin to appear similar (lack of molecular detail to tie in genetic elements)

Connected Neurons fire together

Predicted

by Hebbian learning Emergent behavior

Blue = rest Yellow = group 1 Red = group 2

Global Excitatory state Notice the blue, inhibited neurons

Future Work
Experimental Aid How complex of a problem can an NCC solve Emergence of Conciousness

Director

Markram

Any Questions?