Introducing XSim: A neural network simulator that incorporates biological parameters

Abstract

XSim is a neural network simulator that allows to construct a wide variety of neural network architectures. It is specially designed to implement neural networks that incorporate any kind of biological parameters. XSim supports different levels of biological modeling, from basic single-cell models to networks with thousands of units. XSim’s principal features include: a command level interface and a graphical interface to facilitate user interaction with the system and the network; interactive and batch processing of commands and data; temporal and spatial displays of the network’s performance; library of cell types with different kinds of compartments; easy and flexible construction of networks in three dimensions with complex connectivity patterns and weight distributions; and a methodology for extending the command and cell type library.