Details

Teaching

Theoretical Neuroscience: Learning, Perception and Cognition 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:25-10:40 RM 7.037 Medical School Building, UT

(this room is on the seventh floor of the UT medical school building. Take the green elevator from the lobby, turn right out of the elevator and the room will be on your right)

The Synaptic Basis for Learning and Memory: A Theoretical Approach

Description

Synaptic plasticity is the change in synaptic connection strength between two neurons due to the activity of one or both of these neurons. It is believed to be the basis of learning memory and some forms of brain development. The course will study both abstract models and biophysical models of synaptic plasticity.  Abstract models of synaptic plasticity demonstrate how the concept of synaptic plasticity can contribute to different forms of learning, memory and development and how this might contribute to machine learning.  Biophysical models of synaptic plasticity are based on actual cellular and molecular mechanisms observed in neurons and demonstrate how synaptic plasticity can arise from real biological mechanisms.

Mathematical Basis – a brief description of mathematical concepts necessary for this course. You should either be comfortable with these concepts, or read up on them before the class starts. I will explain them again in class, but it will be useful if you know them in advance. If you too part I of the theoretical class these concepts will not be new.

Estimated Course Outline

  1. Introduction [ PDF ]

Abstract Models

  1. The Hebb Rule [ PDF ]
  2. BCM [ PDF]
  3. Objective Function and ICA [ PDF ]
  4. Supervised Learning [ PDF ]

Biophysical Models

  1. Synaptic Transmission [ PDF ]
  2. Synaptic Plasticity: Introduction [ PDF ]
  3. Synaptic Plasticity Mechanism [ ppt ]
  4. Linear Superposition Models [ PDF ]
  5. Modeling Biochemistry [ PDF ]
  6. Calcium Dependent Plasticity Model [ PDF ]
  7. Maintenance
  8. Review

 

Contact Information

Harel Shouval
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Email: harel.shouval@uth.tmc.edu
Telephone: +1 713 500 5708

 

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