It is widely accepted that brain function was optimized over the course of evolution to be energy-efficient: strongly connected brain regions are typically located close to each other, which allows to arrange them nearly optimally in space and reduce the total amount of wiring; brain uses cheaper chemical communication whenever possible and the information seems to be coded extremely efficiently to avoid costly spikes. 

On the other hand, there is evidence that – while the basic maintenance of the brain is costly – cognitive processes may not be that constrained by metabolic limitations. 

During the workshop we will ask several questions:

• What is brain optimizing? 
• To what extent uncovering different design principles can contribute to understanding how brains generate behavior?
• How to verify if we correctly recognise evolutionary trade-offs and if our criteria for optimality are accurate?
• What artificial neural networks can tell us about the energetic optimization of brain function?

Our goal is to get a deeper, more nuanced perspective on how understanding metabolic constraints can contribute to behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.

Workshop – like our other Workshops of Ideas – will be discussion-driven, with long, interactive talks in a small group, in beautiful surroundings, relaxed atmosphere, and a lot of time to think!

Workshop will be organized in Lengrenówka – a cosy building of the Museum of Caricature at Warsaw Old Town.

The price of participation is EUR 260. The price include lunch and coffee breaks and workshop materials. We offer full and partial fee waivers. The application form can be found HERE.