Tutorials and Guides

First steps: Learn how to use NEST

PyNEST Tutorial

A step-by-step tutorial that introduces NEST concepts and allows you to develop your first script.

A basic one neuron example

One neuron example: A breakdown of a basic NEST script using one neuron, to showcase the basic structure of a simulation.

Interactive graphical interface

NEST Desktop: If you prefer a graphical approach, NEST Desktop offers an interactive graphical format for creating neural networks.

Next steps: Create your own network model

Create neurons, synapses, and devices

• Model directory: Discover the available models in NEST or create and customize models with NESTML

Connect neurons, synapses, and devices

• Connectivity concepts: A guide to define network connectivity in NEST

• Spatially-structured networks: A deep dive into building 2D and 3D networks

• Connection generator interface: Using an external library for generating connections

• Synapse specification: Details on parameterizing synapses

Device management

• Stimulate the network: An overview of how to stimulate the network

• Get data from simulations: How to record data from neurons and synapses

Simulate your network

• Simulation behavior: A guide describing various factors in running simulations

• Randomness in NEST Simulations: A guide to how random numbers are used in network simulations

Handling nodes and connections

• Manipulating nodes (neurons and devices): understand basic functionality of nodes

• Manipulating connections (synapses): understand basic functionality of connections

• Parametrization: explore how to use parameter objects in NEST

Example gallery

• Explore our PyNEST example networks that showcase the numerous features and models in NEST

Large network models

Discover how to build large and more complex network models with these examples:

• Brunel network: A random balanced network

• The microcircuit model: A network model example based on Potjans and Diesman 2014

• The mesocircuit model: A layered cortical network with distance-dependent connectivity

• The multi-area model: A network model of the visual cortex of the macaque monkey

Parallel computing

• Guide to parallel computing: How NEST handles thread parallel and distributed computing

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More topics

More about neurons

• Simulations with precise spike times

• Integrating neural models using exact integration

More about synapses

• Simulations with gap junctions

• Weight normalization

High performance computers (HPC)

• Optimize performance of HPC Systems: Guides to optimize NEST performance in large scale simulations

• Built-in timers: A guide to the various timers available in NEST

• Benchmarking NEST: How to use the beNNch framework

Connect to other tools

• NEST Server: A guide showcasing how to interact with NEST via a RESTful API

• SONATA with NEST: Guide to using the SONATA format

• MUSIC Tutorial: how to transmit data between applications with the MUSIC interface, step-by-step

• Using NEST with MUSIC: Additional guide for building scripts with MUSIC

Get the latest changes

• Update 2.X scripts to 3.X

• See the latest changes