title: Modeling single-neuron dynamics and computations: a balance of detail and abstraction.
abstract: The fundamental building block of every nervous system is the single neuron. Understanding how these exquisitely structured elements operate is an integral part of the quest to solve the mysteries of the brain. Quantitative mathematical models have proved to be an indispensable tool in pursuing this goal. We review recent advances and examine how single-cell models on five levels of complexity, from black-box approaches to detailed compartmental simulations, address key questions about neural dynamics and signal processing.
authors.affiliation: Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany. a.herz@biologie.hu-berlin.de
authors.forename: Andreas V M
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Herz
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gollisch
authors.forename: Christian K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Machens
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaeger
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology