Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat

Abstract

A mathematical center is proposed to integrate mathematical modeling with basic and applied lines of research at the frontier of neuroscience. The proposal is a response to the increasing importance of mathematical structures in theoretical neuroscience. One of the underlying reasons is the huge mass of data generated by recent experimental capabilities of research, whose analysis requires new mathematical tools. Furthermore, the development of suitable mathematical language and structures is essential to develop theories explaining the underlying phenomena and yielding testable predictions. Neuroscience is at a crossroads triggered by an imbalance between prowess in data collection and humbleness in theoretical understanding, a situation that has been nicely described as data-rich yet theory-poor. Mathematics is the key to bridge between observations and explanations. The present project aims at building a center at the forefront of research in theoretical neuroscience, by putting together a first-class team of mathematicians, computer scientists, neuroscientists and rehabilitation clinicians. The research structure of the center is designed to fulfill severaI requirements: I) it must not be reduced to a particular area of mathematics. This explains the different specialties of the participant mathematicians. II) it must lead to models helping to understand actual phenomena, and not just to convenient phenomenological descriptions. The objective is to achieve understanding and predictive power. This needs dose collaboration with experts in applied area of neuroscience. Thus, the team includes experts in neuronal data recording and neurological diseases. III) It must produce efficient algorithms and procedures that can be put to use and confronted with data. The team includes therefore, a number of computer scientists. IV) it must lead to products useful for medical professionals and public health programs. The team includes specialists in neurorehabilitation and public policies for cerebral stroke patients. The technological transfer and innovation aspects of the project will focus in products needed for public health programs in neurorehabilitation, including the design and analysis of standardized data bank and the development of tools to support clinical diagnostics, decision and follow up. For dissemination the project includes courses and filmed workshops addressed to students at all levels, public school teachers and journalists. (AU)