Point Neurons

• A simple, perhaps the simplest, way to model neurons is with an equation.
• This ignores most of the complexity of a neuron, which is after all a cell, with energy dynamics, cell walls, and is constantly changing.
• A really simple explanation for a neuron is that it collects energy from other neurons, and if it gets enough energy, it fires, and sends energy to other neurons.
• That's the McCullouch Pitts model (Trappenberg 3.1.6).
• Note that connectivity is typically from a neuron to many other neurons.
• Connectivity is usually weighted.
• Connections are a really simple model for synapses.