Geometric modeling of local cortical networks

Geometric models of local cortical microstructure can be used to develop ne uroanatomically based network models. First, neuron/fiber spatial distribut ions and neuron morphology, drawing on a new microstructure imaging technol ogy, must be quantified within the cortical tissue. Given this database, st ochastic models recreating the spatial distribution and morphology of the o bserved neurons are constructed. Synthetic neuron forests are then stochast ically generated. Neurite near-collisions (e.g., between axons and dendrite s) are modeled to add synaptic connections. The synapse estimation compleme nts the forest of synthetic neurons by adding local connectivity, i.e., wir ing up the forest into network models. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.