Speakers
Description
NESTML is a domain-specific modeling language for neuron models and synaptic plasticity rules[1]. It is designed to support researchers in computational neuroscience to specify models in a precise and intuitive way. These models can subsequently be used in dynamical simulations of spiking neural networks on several platforms, particularly the NEST Simulator[2]. However, specification of the network architecture requires using the NEST Python API, which requires users to have programming skills. This poses a problem for beginners with little to no coding experience.
This issue is addressed by developing NEST Desktop[3], a graphical user interface (GUI) that serves as an intuitive, programming-free interface to NEST. The interface is easily installed and accessed via an internet browser on laptops or in cloud-based deployments.
Here, we demonstrate the integration of all three components: NEST Desktop, NESTML, and NEST. As a result, researchers and students can customize existing models or develop new ones using NESTML and have them instantly available to create networks using the GUI of NEST Desktop before simulating them using NEST. In this workshop, we will first demonstrate the simulation of a balanced network in NEST Desktop using a built-in integrate and fire neuron model. As a second step, we will create a new customised neuron model with spike-frequency adaptation (SFA) in NESTML from within the NEST Desktop interface, and use this model to simulate the balanced network. The effects of SFA on network dynamics will then be studied inside the NEST Desktop GUI through simulation data visualization and analysis tools.
References
[1] NESTML 8.0.1, Linssen C et al. (2025) doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15292719
[2] NEST (Neural Simulation Tool), Gewaltig M-O & Diesmann M (2007) doi: 10.4249/scholarpedia.1430
[3] NEST Desktop, Spreizer et al. (2021) doi: 10.1523/eneuro.0274-21.2021
| Preferred form of presentation | Workshop |
|---|---|
| Topic area | Models and applications |
| Keywords | models, simulation, networks |
| Speaker time zone | UTC+1 |
| I agree to the copyright and license terms | Yes |
| I agree to the declaration of honor | Yes |
