BLISS: towards the simulation of brain-like systems

BLISS is a novel framework for simulating large, structured neuronal systems. It is designed to investigate the functional behavior of neuronal systems in the context of anatomical, morphological, and electrophysiological properties. BLISS aims at large networks (10(5) neurons), while maintaining biological detail. This is achieved by combining a broad range of abstraction levels in a single network simulation. Great biological detail is then only maintained at the points of interest, while the rest of the system is modeled by more abstract components. Here, we describe the conception of BLISS and show example simulations to illustrate its key features. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.