Abstract: With the ability of experimentalists to record and stimulate with optical

techniques, it is possible to determine the behavior of large numbers of neurons

as well as to perturb them. In this talk, I consider the behavior of systems

of integro-differential equations that arise in the modeling of local cortical areas.

First I discuss some issues with the analysis and interpretation of the spatiotemporal

data. Next I introduce the class of models and discuss computational

and mathematical challenges associated with these nonlocal highly nonlinear

systems. I will show several examples of models of the experimental phenomena

and then I will describe recent work on multi-layer models as well as some

interesting dynamics that is hidden in simplified discontinuous approximations.

Reception Immediately Following the Lecture

For further information, email: math@pitt.edu

Phone: 412-624-8375

or visit http://www.mathematics.pitt.edu