Systems Neuroscience is a compilation of interdisciplinary contributions to systems neuroscience — an approach within neuroscience that connects system theory and computer simulation. The compendium contains papers that discusses and elaborates a diverse range of studies in systems neuroscience. The topics in the book include the psychophysical data on human visual perception and memory, and indicates the value of a top-down analysis in relating quantitative measurements of human behavior to the fine-level analysis of the neurophysiology; computer analysis of a neural model of masking and flicker fusion; studies on the properties of differential equations that represent networks of neurons; the development of an interactive computer graphics language for the simulation of concurrent processes such as those occurring in neural networks; and the data structures for internal representations of spatial dimensions in the brain. The book will be a good source of valuable insight for neuroscientists.

This edition of Advances in Neurobiology brings together experts in the emerging field of Systems Neuroscience to present an overview of this area of research. Topics covered include: how different neural circuits analyze sensory information, form perceptions of the external world, make decisions, and execute movements; how nerve cells behave when connected together to form neural networks; the relationship between molecular and cellular approaches to understanding brain structure and function; the study of high-level mental functions; and studying brain pathologies and diseases with Systems Neuroscience. A hierarchy of biological complexity arises from the genome, transcriptome, proteome, organelles, cells, synapses, circuits, brain regions, the whole brain, and behaviour. The best way to study the brain, the most complex organ in the body composed of 100 billion cells with trillions of interconnections, is with a Systems Biology approach. Systems biology is an inter-disciplinary field that focuses on complex interactions within biological systems to reveal 'emergent properties' - properties of cells and groups of cells functioning as a system whose actual and theoretical description is only possible using Systems Biology techniques.

The Brain: A Systems Neuroscience Perspective is a comprehensive textbook designed for undergraduate students in neuroscience. It offers a detailed exploration of brain dynamics, spatial navigation, and the neuroscience of Alzheimer's disease, with an emphasis on understanding complex concepts through simplified mathematical models. The objective is to provide a solid foundation for readers in systems neuroscience. Key Topics Fundamental Brain Dynamics: Covers the basics of brain organization, neural systems, and the role of differential equations in neuroscience (Chapters 1-3). Spatial Navigation: Discusses the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation and the geometry of neural maps (Chapter 4). Alzheimer’s Disease: Presents a simplified mathematical theory of Alzheimer’s dementia, exploring its onset, progression, and potential interventions (Chapter 5). Key Features Accessible Approach: Minimizes mathematical complexity to make the subject approachable for readers with a basic understanding of differential equations. Standalone Resource: Provides all essential knowledge on brain function, making it a valuable tool for both coursework and self-study. Includes references for advanced readers.

This Handbook focusses on the foundational principles, methods and underlying systems in cognitive and systems neuroscience, as well as examining cutting-edge methodological advances and innovations.

We are delighted to present the “Horizons in Systems Neuroscience” article collection. This collection showcases high-impact, authoritative, and reader-friendly review articles covering the most topical research at the forefront of systems neuroscience. All contributing authors were individually nominated by the Chief Editors of the Journal in recognition of their prominence and influence in their respective fields. The cutting-edge work presented in this article collection highlights the diversity of research performed across the entire breadth of the systems neuroscience field and reflects on the latest advances in the theory, experiment, and methodology with applications to compelling problems in academic and translational research.

Research on resting state brain activity using fMRI offers a novel approach for understanding brain organization at the systems level. Resting state fMRI examines spatial synchronization of intrinsic fluctuations in blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals arising from neuronal and synaptic activity that is present in the absence of overt cognitive information processing. Since the discovery of coherent spontaneous fluctuations within the somatomotor system (Biswal, et al. 1995), a growing number of studies have shown that many of the brain areas engaged during various cognitive tasks also form coherent large-scale brain networks that can be readily identified using resting state fMRI. These studies are beginning to provide new insights into the functional architecture of the human brain. This Research Topic will synthesize current knowledge about resting state brain activity and discuss their implications for understanding brain function and dysfunction from a systems neuroscience perspective. This topic will also provide perspectives on important conceptual and methodological questions that the field needs to address in the next years. In addition to invited reviews and perspectives, we solicit research articles on theoretical, experimental and clinical questions related to the nature, origins and functions of resting state brain activity.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is traditionally viewed as an anatomic and neuropathological condition. Caring for TBI patients is a matter of defining the extent of an anatomical lesion, managing this lesion, and minimizing secondary brain injury. On the research side, the effects of TBI often are studied in the context of neuronal and axonal degeneration and the subsequent deposition of abnormal proteins such as tau. These approaches form the basis of our current understanding of TBI, but they pay less attention to the function of the affected organ, the brain. Much can be learned about TBI by studying this disorder on a systems neuroscience level and correlating changes in neural circuitry with neurological and cognitive function. There are several aspects of TBI that are a natural fit for this perspective, including post-traumatic epilepsy, consciousness, and cognitive sequelae. How individual neurons contribute to network activity and how network function responds to injury are key concepts in examining these areas. In recent years, the available tools for studying the role of neuronal assemblies in TBI have become increasingly sophisticated, ranging from optogenetic and electrophysiological techniques to advanced imaging modalities such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography. Further progress in understanding the disruption and subsequent reshaping of networks is likely to have substantial benefits in the treatment of patients with TBI-associated deficits. In this Frontiers Topic, we intend to highlight the systems neuroscience approach to studying TBI. In addition to analyzing the clinical sequelae of TBI in this context, this series of articles explores the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying network dysfunction, including alterations in synaptic activity, changes in neural oscillation patterns, and disruptions in functional connectivity. We also include articles on treatment options for TBI patients that modulate network function. It is our hope that this Frontiers Topic will increase the clinical and scientific communities’ awareness of this viable framework for deepening our knowledge of TBI and improving patient outcomes.

The complexity of the brain and the protean nature of behavior remain the most elusive area of science, but also the most important. van Hemmen and Sejnowski invited 23 experts from the many areas--from evolution to qualia--of systems neuroscience to formulate one problem each. Although each chapter was written independently and can be read separately, together they provide a useful roadmap to the field of systems neuroscience and will serve as a source of inspirations for future explorers of the brain.