Emerging networks: Computational approaches to brain development

In computational and theoretical neuroscience, brain networks are often treated as fixed structures—be it dendritic morphology, neuronal excitability, axonal projections, or whole-brain connectomes. Yet, all hallmark features of the adult brain—such as sensory topographies, orientation selectivity in the visual cortex, and grid cells in the entorhinal cortex—emerge and are shaped during early developmental stages. These refinement processes are orchestrated by a combination of genetic programming and activity-dependent mechanisms. Understanding this process is of key importance not just for understanding the normal functioning of the brain, but also for unraveling cellular and network disruptions that lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.

This workshop focuses on the dynamic processes that underlie the formation and refinement of brain circuits. Development is not merely a transitional phase toward the mature brain; rather, developing networks possess unique properties tailored to support early neural activity, guide circuit formation, and suppress maladaptive patterns. For instance, many neural circuits generate specific patterns of spontaneous activity even before the onset of sensory experience, which may serve as training data to shape connectivity and prepare these networks for adult function. To understand these processes, researchers employ a wide range of computational models—from abstract frameworks to detailed biophysical simulations. This growing field of developmental systems neuroscience seeks to uncover how structure and function co-emerge during development, and how early experience influences the trajectory of brain maturation. This workshop will cover topics and include models of synaptic and dendritic development, the generation and propagation of spontaneous activity, activity-driven refinement of connectivity, and early sensory and cognitive circuit formation. From dendritic organization of synapses on pyramidal neurons to signal propagation in immature thalamic circuits, this workshop offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advances and future directions in modeling the developing brain.