Neurons

August 25, 2026 ยท View on GitHub

Python-facing neuron models spanning classical integrate-and-fire dynamics, conductance-based cells, neural-mass models, maps, hardware-specific neurons, and differentiable training cells. Use the source tree and benchmark inventory as the authority for exact model and backend counts.

Quick Start

# Flat import (any model)
from sc_neurocore.neurons import HodgkinHuxleyNeuron, AdExNeuron

# Individual file import
from sc_neurocore.neurons.models.hodgkin_huxley import HodgkinHuxleyNeuron

Reference Trace Validation

Schema-driven models can be checked against committed reference-trace feature contracts through sc_neurocore.neurons.reference_traces. The current corpus covers every deterministic bundled schema model through the package-local UniversalNeuron runner, including the pinned Wu et al. IQIF source tutorial. poisson and escape_rate remain outside this deterministic corpus because their schemas are stochastic. External NEST, Brian2, NEURON, and published-figure traces remain separate simulator-backed validation surfaces.

from sc_neurocore.neurons.reference_traces import validate_all_reference_traces

reports = validate_all_reference_traces()
assert all(report.passed for report in reports)

See Reference Trace Harness for the corpus table, validation commands, and external simulator boundary.

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.reference_trace_contracts

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.reference_trace_io

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.reference_trace_runner

Core SC Neurons (bitstream-capable)

ClassDomain
StochasticLIFNeuronSoftware simulation (fast)
FixedPointLIFNeuronBit-true Q8.8 hardware model
HomeostaticLIFNeuronSelf-regulating firing rate
SCIzhikevichNeuronRich dynamics (bursting, chattering)
StochasticDendriticNeuronXOR dendritic processing

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.base.BaseNeuron

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.stochastic_lif.StochasticLIFNeuron

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.fixed_point_lif.FixedPointLIFNeuron

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.sc_izhikevich.SCIzhikevichNeuron

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.homeostatic_lif.HomeostaticLIFNeuron

::: sc_neurocore.neurons.dendritic.StochasticDendriticNeuron

Extended Model Library (neurons/models/)

Integrate-and-Fire Variants (27)

ModelFileReference
AdExadex.pyBrette & Gerstner 2005
ExpIFexpif.pyFourcaud-Trocme 2003
Lapicquelapicque.pyLapicque 1907
QIFquadratic_if.pyLatham 2000
GLIF (5 levels)glif.pyTeeter 2018, Allen Institute
MATmat.pyKobayashi 2009
SFAsfa.pyBenda & Herz 2003
Stochastic IFstochastic_if.pyBrunel & Hakim 1999
Escape-rateescape_rate.pyGerstner 2000
Fractional LIFfractional_lif.pyLundstrom 2008
COBA LIFcoba_lif.pyConductance-based
Perfect Integratorperfect_integrator.pyNon-leaky IF
NLIFnlif.pyCubic nonlinearity
Adaptive Thresholdadaptive_threshold_if.pyDynamic threshold
PLIFplif.pyFang 2021, learnable tau
Non-Resetting LIFnon_resetting_lif.pyKobayashi 2009
Gated LIFgated_lif.pyYao 2022, NeurIPS
Sigma-Deltasigma_delta.pyYoon 2017
TC-LIFtc_lif.pyAAAI 2024
Benda-Herz universal adaptationbenda_herz.pyBenda & Herz 2003 equations (8), (45)
SC stochastic rate adaptationsc_stochastic_rate_adaptation.pySC-NeuroCore retained project recurrence
Integer QIFiqif.pyWu et al. 2021, piecewise-linear Q0.3 integer soma
Complementary LIFclif.pyICML 2024, dual paths
K-LIFklif.pyLearnable scaling
Inhibitory LIFilif.py2025, temporal inhibition
E-prop ALIFe_prop_alif.pyBellec 2020, eligibility
Izhikevich 2007izhikevich2007.pyIzhikevich 2007 biophysical
Energy LIFenergy_lif.pyFardet 2020

Biophysical / Conductance-Based (11)

ModelFileReference
Hodgkin-Huxleyhodgkin_huxley.pyHH 1952 (Nobel Prize)
Connor-Stevensconnor_stevens.pyConnor 1977, A-type K+
Wang-Buzsakiwang_buzsaki.pyWang 1996, FS interneuron
Pinsky-Rinzelpinsky_rinzel.pyPinsky 1994, 2-compartment
Destexhedestexhe_thalamic.pyDestexhe 1993, T-current
Huber-Braunhuber_braun.pyBraun 1998, cold receptor
Gutkin-Ermentroutgutkin_ermentrout.pyGutkin 1998
Traub-Milestraub_miles.pyTraub 1991, hippocampal
Golomb FSgolomb_fs.pyGolomb 2007, Kv3 channels
Mainen-Sejnowskimainen_sejnowski.pyMainen 1996, axonal Na
Pospischilpospischil.pyPospischil 2008, 5 types

Oscillatory / Qualitative (7)

ModelFileReference
FitzHugh-Nagumofitzhugh_nagumo.pyFitzHugh 1961
Morris-Lecarmorris_lecar.pyMorris 1981
Hindmarsh-Rosehindmarsh_rose.pyHR 1984, chaotic bursting
Resonate-and-Fireresonate_and_fire.pyIzhikevich 2001
Balanced Resonate-and-Firebalanced_resonate_and_fire.pyHiguchi et al. 2024
Thetatheta.pyErmentrout 1986
FitzHugh-Rinzelfitzhugh_rinzel.pyFitzHugh 1976, 3D
Terman-Wangterman_wang.pyTerman 1995, LEGION

Bursting (5)

ModelFileReference
Chaychay.pyChay 1985, pancreatic beta
Buterabutera_respiratory.pyButera 1999, respiratory
Sherman-Rinzel-Keizersherman_rinzel_keizer.pySherman 1988
Plant R15plant_r15.pyPlant 1981, Aplysia
Bertram Phantombertram_phantom.pyBertram et al. 2000
Pernarowskipernarowski.pyPernarowski 1994

Count-neutral compatibility identity: SCThreeStatePhantomBurster in sc_three_state_phantom.py retains the former project recurrence without Bertram attribution.

Multi-Compartment (4)

ModelFileReference
Hay L5 Pyramidalhay_l5.pyHay 2011, 3-compartment BAC firing
Booth-Rinzelbooth_rinzel.pyBooth 1995, bistable motoneuron
Dendrifydendrify.pyBeniaguev 2022, active dendrite
TC-LIFtc_lif.pyAAAI 2024, soma+dendrite

Synaptic (3)

Alpha, Synaptic (dual-exp), Tsodyks-Markram (STP)

Map-Based / Discrete (6)

Rulkov, Chialvo, Courbage-Nekorkin, Medvedev, Ibarz-Tanaka, Cazelles

Stochastic (4)

Poisson, Inhomogeneous Poisson, Galves-Locherbach, GLM (Pillow 2008)

Population / Neural Mass (7)

Wilson-Cowan, Jansen-Rit (EEG), Wong-Wang (decision), Ermentrout-Kopell (exact mean-field), Amari (neural field), Wendling (extended JR, epilepsy EEG), Larter-Breakspear (TVB whole-brain)

Hardware-Specific (9)

Loihi CUBA, Loihi 2, TrueNorth, BrainScaleS AdEx, SpiNNaker LIF, SpiNNaker2, DPI/DYNAP-SE, Akida, Sigma-Delta

Rate Models (3)

McCulloch-Pitts (1943), Sigmoid Rate, Threshold-Linear (ReLU)

Other (5)

SRM/SRM0 (kernel), McKean (piecewise FHN), Leaky-Compete-Fire (WTA), Prescott (Type I/II/III), Compte (NMDA working memory)

Multi-Compartment (3)

Pinsky-Rinzel (2-comp), Booth-Rinzel (motoneuron), TC-LIF (soma+dendrite)

PyTorch Training Cells (10)

Differentiable spiking neurons for surrogate gradient training:

CellModuleReference
LIFCelltraining.snn_modulesStandard LIF
IFCelltraining.snn_modulesNo leak
SynapticCelltraining.snn_modulesDual-exponential
ALIFCelltraining.snn_modulesBellec 2020
RecurrentLIFCelltraining.snn_modulesOrthogonal init
ExpIFCelltraining.snn_modulesExponential
AdExCelltraining.snn_modulesAdaptive exponential
LapicqueCelltraining.snn_modulesRC circuit
AlphaCelltraining.snn_modulesAlpha synapse
SecondOrderLIFCelltraining.snn_modulesInertial term