Quantify required neurobiological factors for accurate brain models

Determine the extent to which each enumerated neurobiological factor—glial cells, neuromodulatory peptides and hormones, ion concentrations, pH, synaptic connectivity, neuronal cell types, synaptic activity, gap junctions, neuronal and synaptic plasticity, diffusion of signaling molecules, protein conformations, local membrane composition, and parallel recording of external stimuli and behaviors—must be represented to achieve accurate computational models of brain function and behavior.

Background

The report highlights a wide range of biological mechanisms that may influence neural computation, spanning extracellular milieu, cellular and synaptic properties, and molecular-scale processes. Despite extensive progress in measurement and modeling, the authors emphasize that the minimum necessary level of detail for these factors remains unresolved.

Clarifying the contribution of each factor is essential to guide both data acquisition priorities and model design, ensuring that emulations are neither over- nor under-parameterized relative to what is required for accuracy.