Building a Large-Scale Computational Model of a Cortical Neuronal Network

We introduce the general framework of the large-scale neuronal model used in the 5th Helmholtz Summer School - Complex Brain Networks. The main aim is to build a universal large-scale model of a cortical neuronal network, structured as a network of networks, which is flexible enough to implement different kinds of topology and neuronal models and which exhibits behavior in various dynamical regimes. First, we describe important biological aspects of brain topology and use them in the construction of a large-scale cortical network. Second, the general dynamical model is presented together with explanations of the major dynamical properties of neurons. Finally, we discuss the implementation of the model into parallel code and its possible modifications and improvements.