Web Simulation Of Brain Models

In 1994, we set out with a grant from the Human Brain Project to develop a database of exemplary models that would be freely accessible from the Web. In achieving this goal, we prototyped the Brain Models on the Web database (BMW) and the Summary Database (SDB). BMW contains models in an Informix (trademark) database with links into the Summary Database which contains empirical neuroscience information to support the model: published literature on experiments, summaries of articles, etc. To make it easier and faster for the modeler to create new models, we created a schematic capture system that allows the modeler to "dragand-drop" icons/modules on a page and interconnect them. Being able to see the schematic of the model will help the experimentalist understand the model better and contribute to the model delineation. We also have created several interface modules which mimic many of the experimental protocols used by experimentalists. With a rich set of modules available, the modeler will only need to develop those features unique to his model. We have also created a "Web friendly" simulator we call NSL. NSL is a hierarchical simulator, completely written in java and also available in C++. It provides a wide variety of output displays, reports, and soon will provide parallel processing support.