title: Simulation of networks of spiking neurons: a review of tools and strategies.
abstract: We review different aspects of the simulation of spiking neural networks. We start by reviewing the different types of simulation strategies and algorithms that are currently implemented. We next review the precision of those simulation strategies, in particular in cases where plasticity depends on the exact timing of the spikes. We overview different simulators and simulation environments presently available (restricted to those freely available, open source and documented). For each simulation tool, its advantages and pitfalls are reviewed, with an aim to allow the reader to identify which simulator is appropriate for a given task. Finally, we provide a series of benchmark simulations of different types of networks of spiking neurons, including Hodgkin-Huxley type, integrate-and-fire models, interacting with current-based or conductance-based synapses, using clock-driven or event-driven integration strategies. The same set of models are implemented on the different simulators, and the codes are made available. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide a resource to facilitate identifying the appropriate integration strategy and simulation tool to use for a given modeling problem related to spiking neural networks.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brette
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carnevale
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beeman
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diesmann
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Frederick C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Milind
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zirpe
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Natschläger
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pecevski
authors.forename: Bard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ermentrout
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djurfeldt
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lansner
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rochel
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vieville
authors.forename: Eilif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Boustani
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Destexhe
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology