The Computational Brain

How do groups of neurons interact to enable the organism to see, decide, and move
appropriately? What are the principles whereby networks of neurons represent and compute? These are
the central questions probed by The Computational Brain. Churchland and Sejnowski
address the foundational ideas of the emerging field of computational neuroscience, examine a
diverse range of neural network models, and consider future directions of the field. The
Computational Brain is the first unified and broadly accessible book to bring together
computational concepts and behavioral data within a neurobiological
framework.

Computer models constrained by neurobiological data can help reveal how
-- networks of neurons subserve perception and behavior -- bow their physical interactions can yield
global results in perception and behavior, and how their physical properties are used to code
information and compute solutions. The Computational Brain focuses mainly on
three domains: visual perception, learning and memory, and sensorimotor integration. Examples of
recent computer models in these domains are discussed in detail, highlighting strengths and
weaknesses, and extracting principles applicable to other domains. Churchland and Sejnowski show how
both abstract models and neurobiologically realistic models can have useful roles in computational
neuroscience, and they predict the coevolution of models and experiments at many levels of
organization, from the neuron to the system.

The Computational
Brain addresses a broad audience: neuroscientists, computer scientists, cognitive
scientists, and philosophers. It is written for both the expert and novice. A basic overview of
neuroscience and computational theory is provided, followed by a study of some of the most recent
and sophisticated modeling work in the context of relevant neurobiological research. Technical terms
are clearly explained in the text, and definitions are provided in an extensive glossary. The
appendix contains a précis of neurobiological techniques.

The
Computational Brain is the first unified and broadly accessible book to bring together
computational concepts and behavioral data within a neurobiological framework. Churchland and
Sejnowski address the foundational ideas of the emerging field of computational neuroscience,
examine a diverse range of neural network models, and consider future directions of the
field.

A Bradford Book

Computational Neuroscience
series