Brain-scale simulation of the neocortex on the IBM Blue Gene/L supercomputer
Brain-scale simulation of the neocortex on the IBM Blue Gene/L supercomputer
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DOI：
10.1147/rd.521.0031
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发表时间：
2008-01-01
影响因子：
1.3
通讯作者：
Lansner, A.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Djurfeldt, M.;Lundqvist, M.;Lansner, A.
由于越来越强大的大规模并行超级计算机，现在可以模拟生物详细的大规模大脑模型。我们提出了一个概述，为一般的技术读者，神经元网络模型的第二/第三层的新皮层与生物物理模型神经元。这些模拟在IBM Blue Gene/L（TM）超级计算机上进行，包括多达2200万个神经元和110亿个突触，这使它们成为有史以来最大的此类模拟。这样的模型尺寸对应于小型哺乳动物的皮质。用于这些模拟的SPLIT库可以在单处理器和大规模并行机上运行。性能测试表明，在Blue Gene/L超级计算机上，最高可达8，192个处理器，具有良好的扩展性能。在活体大脑中看到的几个关键现象在模拟中表现为涌现现象。我们讨论了这种模型在神经科学中的作用，并指出，全尺度模型可能是必要的，以保持自然的动态。我们还讨论了软件工具的规格模型，以及分析和可视化的输出数据的需要。结合从抽象的联结主义类型到生物病理学详细的模型，将有助于我们揭示新皮层功能的基本原理。
Biologically detailed large-scale models of the brain can now be simulated thanks to increasingly powerful massively parallel supercomputers. We present an overview, for the general technical reader, of a neuronal network model of layers II/III of the neocortex built with biophysical model neurons. These simulations, carried out on an IBM Blue Gene/L (TM) supercomputer, comprise up to 22 million neurons and 11 billion synapses, which makes them the largest simulations of this type ever performed. Such model sizes correspond to the cortex of a small mammal. The SPLIT library, used for these simulations, runs on single-processor as well as massively parallel machines. Performance measurements show fo good scaling behavior on the Blue Gene/L supercomputer up to 8,192 processors. Several key phenomena seen in the living brain appear as emergent phenomena in the simulations. We discuss the role of this kind of model in neuroscience and note that full-scale models may he necessary to preserve natural dynamics. We also discuss the need for software tools for the specification of models as well as for analysis and visualization of output data. Combining models that range from abstract connectionist type to biophysically detailed will help us unravel the basic principles underlying neocortical function.