Designed to emphasize higher cognitive functions and their underlying neural circuit mechanisms, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and other countries in the world. Applicants with quantitative (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) or experimental background are welcomed. The lectures will introduce the basic concepts and methods, as well as cutting-edge research on higher brain functions such as decision-making, attention, learning and memory. Modeling will be taught at multiple levels, ranging from single neuron computation, microcircuits and large-scale systems, to normative theoretical approach. Python and Matlab-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods.

Co-organizers:

Xiao-Jing Wang (NYU)
Zach Mainen (Champalimaud Neurosc. Program)
Si Wu (Beijing Normal Univ.)
Upi Bhalla (Nat. Centre for Biological Sciences)

Lecturers:

Bill Newsome (Stanford Univ.)
Bob Desimone (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech.)
Gustavo Deco (Univ. Pompeu Fabra)
Gonzalo G. de Polavieja (Cajal Inst.)
Kenji Doya (Okinawa Inst. Science Technology)
Mariano Sigman (Univ. Buenos Aires)
Michael Breakspear (Queensland Inst. Medical Research)
Michael Hausser (Univ. College London)
Misha Tsodyks (Weizmann Inst.)
Philip Sabes (Univ. California San Francisco)
Sophie Deneve (Ecole Normale Superieure)