Parallel Computing for Brain Simulation

Title:Parallel Computing for Brain Simulation

Volume: 17 Issue: 14

Author(s): L. A. Pastur-Romay, A. B. Porto-Pazos*, F. Cedron and A. Pazos

Affiliation:

• Facultad de Informática, Campus de Elviña s/n, A Coruna 15071,Spain

Keywords: Parallel computation, Brain emulation, Neuromorphic chip, Brain computational models, Neuron-astrocyte networks.

Abstract: Background: The human brain is the most complex system in the known universe, it is therefore one of the greatest mysteries. It provides human beings with extraordinary abilities. However, until now it has not been understood yet how and why most of these abilities are produced.

Aims: For decades, researchers have been trying to make computers reproduce these abilities, focusing on both understanding the nervous system and, on processing data in a more efficient way than before. Their aim is to make computers process information similarly to the brain. Important technological developments and vast multidisciplinary projects have allowed creating the first simulation with a number of neurons similar to that of a human brain.

Conclusion: This paper presents an up-to-date review about the main research projects that are trying to simulate and/or emulate the human brain. They employ different types of computational models using parallel computing: digital models, analog models and hybrid models. This review includes the current applications of these works, as well as future trends. It is focused on various works that look for advanced progress in Neuroscience and still others which seek new discoveries in Computer Science (neuromorphic hardware, machine learning techniques). Their most outstanding characteristics are summarized and the latest advances and future plans are presented. In addition, this review points out the importance of considering not only neurons: Computational models of the brain should also include glial cells, given the proven importance of astrocytes in information processing.

Cite this article as:

Pastur-Romay A. L., Porto-Pazos B. A.*, Cedron F. and Pazos A., Parallel Computing for Brain Simulation, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 17 (14) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026617666161104105725

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026617666161104105725	Print ISSN 1568-0266
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1873-4294