The theme of this mini-symposium encompasses the mathematical modeling of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, or Parkinson, for instance. Approaches may span various scales: molecular (pertaining to protein dynamics), cellular (intercellular communication), or tissue-related (the spread of pathologies in certain brain regions, the emergence of amyloid plaques, for instance). The mathematical tools presented in the discussions can range from ordinary or delayed differential equations, partial differential equations with various structures (size, space, or a combination of both), to data augmentation for image analysis using neural networks. All fields are viable, all scales are explored to ensure this mini-symposium makes a meaningful contribution to understanding the intricate phenomena associated with these often fatal pathologies, which still present numerous unresolved questions.

As recording technologies have advanced to provide more detailed experimental data, the close linkage of many experimental labs with theorists have enabled the mathematical neuroscience community to address unique theoretical challenges in all facets of neural processing. Neural systems exhibit complex dynamics, nonlinearities, and stochasticity that can only be handled with (mathematical) analysis. This minisymposium will feature speakers who use computational modeling and math/theory to address key neuroscience questions. The topics span dynamics of rhythmic activity with neural attributes (connectivity, timescales), to neural circuit operations with implications on animal function. In addition to diverse range of research topics, the speakers themselves are diverse on many levels, including various career stages (from grad students and postdocs to mid-career Professors), gender, and a mix of regional affiliations spanning the U.S.A. and East Asia.