NRN-EZ is an interactive application that allows NEURON users without extensive programming experience to define complex patterns of synaptic input activation.
Modeling software programs such as NEURON are widely used in the neuroscience community to address a broad range of research questions, including how neurons integrate synaptic inputs and propagate information through complex neural networks. One of the main strengths of NEURON is its ability to incorporate user-defined information about the realistic morphology and biophysical properties of different cell types. Although the graphical user interface of the program can be used to run initial exploratory simulations, introducing a stochastic representation of synaptic input activation in space, strength, and time typically requires users to develop their own codes, a task that can often be overwhelming.
This technology, called NRN-EZ, is an interactive application that allows users to specify complex patterns of synaptic input activation that can then be integrated as part of NEURON simulations. Through its graphical user interface, NRN-EZ leverages the learning curve to run computational models in NEURON for users without a computer science background. As an open-source program, NRN-EZ can be implemented by anyone, which will be particularly useful for researchers around the world. NRN-EZ is flexible and can cover a broad range of simulation scenarios, from current step injections to synaptic input activation. It allows users to simulate synapses with mixed receptor populations, such as glutamatergic synapses with AMPA and NMDA receptors.
• Easy to use: requires no advanced programming expertise.
• Open source: available to all users.
• Flexible: Can cover a broad range of simulation scenarios.
The primary application for this technology is to enhance the usability of NEURON, a modeling software program widely used in the neuroscience community.
Know-how based
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept
This technology is available for licensing.
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the use and support of NEURON, including:
• NEURON users in the neuroscience community.
• Software developers.
• Neurological research centers.
• Educational institutions.