NeoCortical Builder: NeoCortical Builder: A Web Based Front End A Web Based Front End

for NCSfor NCSJakub Berlinski Marlon D. Chavez, Cameron Rowe, Jakub Berlinski Marlon D. Chavez, Cameron Rowe, Nathan M. Jordan, Devyani Tanna, Roger V. Hoang, Nathan M. Jordan, Devyani Tanna, Roger V. Hoang,

Sergiu M. Dascalu, Laurence C. Jayet Bray, Frederick C Harris, Jr.Sergiu M. Dascalu, Laurence C. Jayet Bray, Frederick C Harris, Jr.

Brain Computation LabBrain Computation LabDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering

University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada, Reno

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction NCS OverviewNCS Overview Design OverviewDesign Overview Conclusion and Future WorkConclusion and Future Work

Human BrainHuman Brain

Neurons : ~ 8.6 x 10^10 (86 Billion)Neurons : ~ 8.6 x 10^10 (86 Billion) Synapses: ~ 1x 10^14 (100 Trillion)Synapses: ~ 1x 10^14 (100 Trillion)

NeuronsNeurons

Fun Fact - Longest axons in human body run from base of the spinal cord to the big toe of each foot!

ChannelsChannels

Signal PropagationSignal Propagation

Levels of Organization of Levels of Organization of ModelingModeling

ProblemProblem Creating a brain model is hardCreating a brain model is hard Old methods are outdated or use text based inputOld methods are outdated or use text based input

Problem: Other SimulatorsProblem: Other SimulatorsNEURON’s GUINEURON’s GUI

Problem (cont)Problem (cont) Current brain simulators require extraneous methods Current brain simulators require extraneous methods

during the setup process to be fully functionalduring the setup process to be fully functional NCS cannot easily be accessed remotely to build NCS cannot easily be accessed remotely to build

models, run simulations, and view outputmodels, run simulations, and view output

What is NCS?What is NCS? Developed and maintained by the UNR Brain Developed and maintained by the UNR Brain

Computation Laboratory Computation Laboratory The NeoCortical Simulator is designed for The NeoCortical Simulator is designed for

modeling large-scale neural networks and systemsmodeling large-scale neural networks and systems Can model millions of neurons in real timeCan model millions of neurons in real time

Open sourceOpen source Runs on a heterogeneous cluster of CPUs and Runs on a heterogeneous cluster of CPUs and

NVIDIA GPUsNVIDIA GPUs First simulator to support real-time neurorobotics First simulator to support real-time neurorobotics

applicationapplication

Hodgkin-Huxley Neurons Hodgkin-Huxley Neurons (Added in NCS 7.0)(Added in NCS 7.0)

Biologically accurateBiologically accurate Developed in 1952 by Alan Developed in 1952 by Alan

Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley from their experiments on the from their experiments on the giant axon of a squidgiant axon of a squid

Set of four differential Set of four differential equationsequations

Three variables n, m, hThree variables n, m, h

Hodgkin-Huxley (cont)Hodgkin-Huxley (cont)

Leaky Integrate-and-FireLeaky Integrate-and-Fire Comprised ofComprised of

Sub-threshold leaky-integrator dynamicSub-threshold leaky-integrator dynamic Firing thresholdFiring threshold Reset mechanismReset mechanism

Leakage ChannelsLeakage Channels Drive the neuron to higher Drive the neuron to higher

voltagevoltage Let the voltage decay to its Let the voltage decay to its

resting potentialresting potential

IzhikevichIzhikevich

Created by Eugene M. IzhikevichCreated by Eugene M. Izhikevich Published in 2003Published in 2003 Most SimplisticMost Simplistic Computationally efficient and captures large Computationally efficient and captures large

variety of response properties of real neuronsvariety of response properties of real neurons Only 6 variables!Only 6 variables!

Image Source: http://www.izhikevich.org/publications/spikes.htm

Izhikevich (Added in NCS 6.0)Izhikevich (Added in NCS 6.0)

Izhikevich OutputIzhikevich Output

SolutionSolution

NeoCortical Builder (NCB)NeoCortical Builder (NCB) Graphical User Interface for easy construction of brain Graphical User Interface for easy construction of brain

models and simulation parametersmodels and simulation parameters Web based application for easy access from any location or Web based application for easy access from any location or

devicedevice

Design OverviewDesign Overview

Technologies used in NCBTechnologies used in NCB

CoreCore HTML5HTML5 CSS3CSS3 JavaScriptJavaScript PythonPython

Libraries UsedLibraries Used JavaScriptJavaScript jQueryjQuery AngularJSAngularJS BootstrapBootstrap X-editableX-editable FlaskFlask

Design Overview -- Brain BuilderDesign Overview -- Brain Builder

Design Overview -- Brain BuilderDesign Overview -- Brain Builder

Design Overview -- Brain BuilderDesign Overview -- Brain Builder

Design Overview -- Brain BuilderDesign Overview -- Brain Builder

Design Overview -- Simulation Design Overview -- Simulation BuilderBuilder

Design Overview -- Simulation Design Overview -- Simulation BuilderBuilder

ConclusionConclusion

NCB Provides a front end interface for the NCB Provides a front end interface for the NeoCortical SimulatorNeoCortical Simulator

Easy to use web based application with Easy to use web based application with intuitive controlsintuitive controls

Future WorkFuture Work Complete full front end application by Complete full front end application by

merging NCB with NCR and Virtual Robotmerging NCB with NCR and Virtual Robot NCBNCB

Brain BuilderBrain Builder Simulation BuilderSimulation Builder

NCRNCR Reports Reports Model DatabaseModel Database Virtual RobotVirtual Robot

NeoCortical Builder: A NeoCortical Builder: A Web Based Front End Web Based Front End

for NCSfor NCSJakub Berlinski Marlon D. Chavez, Cameron Rowe, Jakub Berlinski Marlon D. Chavez, Cameron Rowe, Nathan M. Jordan, Devyani Tanna, Roger V. Hoang, Nathan M. Jordan, Devyani Tanna, Roger V. Hoang,

Sergiu M. Dascalu, Laurence C. Jayet Bray, Frederick C Harris, Jr.Sergiu M. Dascalu, Laurence C. Jayet Bray, Frederick C Harris, Jr.

Brain Computation LabBrain Computation LabDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering

University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada, Reno