Neurophysiology and biophysics for ai

A.A. 2023/2024
6
Crediti massimi
48
Ore totali
SSD
BIO/09
Lingua
Inglese
Obiettivi formativi
This foundational course provides the theoretical basis of neurophysiology needed to address neurocomputation, AI algorithms and their applications to ICT and biomedicine and to provide a perspective for the comparison between natural and artificial intelligence. This includes understanding how neurons and synapses operate inside local microcircuits, how their activity propagates through large-scale networks, and how synaptic and non-synaptic plasticity is generated based on network activity patterns.  Moreover, the anatomical organization of large-scale systems will be considered along-with large-scale dynamics and their control of cognitive and emotional states and consciousness. Special attention will be given to biophysical and computational aspects of brain activity at all scales, providing insight on algorithmic properties. Basics of experimental measurements of brain structure and function and of brain biological properties will be provided.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Students will learn the foundations of central nervous system physiology, at multiple levels: how complex neuronal functions arise from cellular biophysical properties, the rules governing neuronal network activity and plasticity, and how these features combine to generate higher cognitive functions at the macroscale level. The students are expected to learn how brain investigations are performed, from the experimental and computational point of view, and the relevant applications to AI.
Corso singolo

Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.

Programma e organizzazione didattica

Edizione unica

Periodo
Secondo semestre

Programma
The course will include the following main topics:
Principles of brain biology
Multiscale brain organization
Neuronal and synaptic physiology
Microcircuit computation
Synaptic plasticity, learning and memory
Large-scale network organization and function
Principles of brain dynamics
The basis of higher brain functions and consciousness
Brain states
The brain as a complex adaptive system: prediction, learning and real-time processing
The neural basis of natural intelligence (as compared to AI)
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge in biology and physics.
Metodi didattici
Frontal teaching and demonstration also using informatics and multimedia tools
Materiale di riferimento
Textbooks of physiology (to be selected)
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
Written and oral examination
BIO/09 - FISIOLOGIA - CFU: 6
Lezioni: 48 ore
Docenti: D'angelo Egidio Ugo, Mapelli Lisa