Theoretical neuroscience
Recent articles
Romain Brette reveals fundamental flaws in commonly assumed neuroscience concepts
His new book, “The Brain, In Theory,” offers alternatives to many of the computer science frameworks currently driving theoretical neuroscience.
Romain Brette reveals fundamental flaws in commonly assumed neuroscience concepts
His new book, “The Brain, In Theory,” offers alternatives to many of the computer science frameworks currently driving theoretical neuroscience.
‘The Brain, In Theory,’ an excerpt
In his new book, Brette pushes back against theories that describe the brain as a “biological computer.” In this excerpt from Chapter 4, he challenges equating brain evolution with programming, and the universality of neural network models.
‘The Brain, In Theory,’ an excerpt
In his new book, Brette pushes back against theories that describe the brain as a “biological computer.” In this excerpt from Chapter 4, he challenges equating brain evolution with programming, and the universality of neural network models.
What a bird’s-eye view of half a million papers reveals about neuroscience
New research uses artificial-intellligence-driven bibliometrics to map the structural organization of neuroscience across 25 years. The field it reveals is at once thriving and theoretically adrift.
What a bird’s-eye view of half a million papers reveals about neuroscience
New research uses artificial-intellligence-driven bibliometrics to map the structural organization of neuroscience across 25 years. The field it reveals is at once thriving and theoretically adrift.
Tomaso Poggio on his quest for theories to explain the fundamental learning abilities of brains and machines
Thus far, engineering has outpaced theory in the science of intelligence. But Poggio is hopeful that theories can catch up.
Tomaso Poggio on his quest for theories to explain the fundamental learning abilities of brains and machines
Thus far, engineering has outpaced theory in the science of intelligence. But Poggio is hopeful that theories can catch up.
Not playing around: Why neuroscience needs toy models
Amid the rise of billion-parameter models, I argue that toy models, with just a few neurons, remain essential—and may be all neuroscience needs.
Not playing around: Why neuroscience needs toy models
Amid the rise of billion-parameter models, I argue that toy models, with just a few neurons, remain essential—and may be all neuroscience needs.
A community-designed experiment tests open questions in predictive processing
More than 50 scientists came together to identify the key missing data needed to rigorously test theoretical models.
A community-designed experiment tests open questions in predictive processing
More than 50 scientists came together to identify the key missing data needed to rigorously test theoretical models.
The missing half of the neurodynamical systems theory
Bifurcations—an underexplored concept in neuroscience—can help explain how small differences in neural circuits give rise to entirely novel functions.
The missing half of the neurodynamical systems theory
Bifurcations—an underexplored concept in neuroscience—can help explain how small differences in neural circuits give rise to entirely novel functions.
Ann Kennedy explains the theoretical neuroscience of survival behaviors
The Scripps neuroscientist calls for a broader theoretical neuroscience approach in her area of research, which focuses on how the subcortex bridges life and cognition.
Ann Kennedy explains the theoretical neuroscience of survival behaviors
The Scripps neuroscientist calls for a broader theoretical neuroscience approach in her area of research, which focuses on how the subcortex bridges life and cognition.
Xaq Pitkow shares his principles for studying cognition in our imperfect brains and bodies
Pitkow discusses how evolution's messy constraints shape optimal brain algorithms, from Bayesian inference to ecological affordances.
Xaq Pitkow shares his principles for studying cognition in our imperfect brains and bodies
Pitkow discusses how evolution's messy constraints shape optimal brain algorithms, from Bayesian inference to ecological affordances.
Long-standing theoretical neuroscience fellowship program loses financial support
Funding from the Swartz and Sloan Foundations helped bring physicists and mathematicians into neuroscience for more than 30 years.
Long-standing theoretical neuroscience fellowship program loses financial support
Funding from the Swartz and Sloan Foundations helped bring physicists and mathematicians into neuroscience for more than 30 years.
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When autistic kids grow up
An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
When autistic kids grow up
An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
The ‘secretly awesome’ side of a teaching career
The freedom to do “wacky” research projects that interest you is a major perk of the teaching stream, says Suzanne Wood, a teaching professor at the University of Toronto.
The ‘secretly awesome’ side of a teaching career
The freedom to do “wacky” research projects that interest you is a major perk of the teaching stream, says Suzanne Wood, a teaching professor at the University of Toronto.
Manifestantes argentinos denuncian el recorte al financiamiento científico
Manifestantes alrededor del país exigieron al gobierno que aumente los salarios de las universidades públicas y el financiamiento para la investigación científica.
Manifestantes argentinos denuncian el recorte al financiamiento científico
Manifestantes alrededor del país exigieron al gobierno que aumente los salarios de las universidades públicas y el financiamiento para la investigación científica.