Beyond the Mean Field

When one averaged unit per region is not enough: spiking cells, ion channels and multi-scale models.

Most TVB-O models put a single averaged unit at each region. That is the right level for whole-brain dynamics, and the wrong one as soon as the question turns on individual spikes, a specific ion channel, or what a detailed patch does inside an otherwise coarse brain.

Two escapes exist, and they answer different questions.

Reference a detailed cell model. Single neurons, ion channels and synapses are available by IRI: set iri: neuroml:<TypeName> on a dynamics and TVB-O pulls the equations from the NeuroML2 library rather than making you transcribe them. See IRI vs. inline YAML and the example gallery.

Run two scales together. Multi-scale modelling covers what it means to couple a detailed patch to a whole-brain model, which pairings TVB-O supports today, and an honest status for each. Not every combination works yet, and that page says which.

The macro network a detailed patch attaches to is specified the ordinary way, in Networks & connectomes.

Reference

subnetwork · source_network · target_network · NeuroML component mapping.