Abstract The principle of stationary action is a cornerstone of modern physics, providing a powerful framework for investigating dynamical systems found in classical mechanics through to quantum field theory. However, computational neuroscience, despite its heavy reliance on concepts in physics, is anomalous in this regard as its main equations of motion are not compatible with a Lagrangian formulation and hence with the principle of stationary action. Taking the Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) neuronal state equation as an instructive archetype of the first-order linear differential equations commonly found in computational neuroscience, we show that it is possible to make certain modifications to this equation to render it compatible with the principle of stationary action. Specifically, we show that a Lagrangian formulation of the DCM neuronal state equation is facilitated using a complex dependent variable, an oscillatory solution, and a Hermitian intrinsic connectivity matrix. We first demonstrate proof of principle by using Bayesian model inversion to show that both the original and modified models can be correctly identified via in silico data generated directly from their respective equations of motion. We then provide motivation for adopting the modified models in neuroscience by using three different types of publicly available in vivo neuroimaging datasets, together with open source MATLAB code, to show that the modified (oscillatory) model provides a more parsimonious explanation for some of these empirical timeseries. It is our hope that this work will, in combination with existing techniques, allow people to explore the symmetries and associated conservation laws within neural systems – and to exploit the computational expediency facilitated by direct variational techniques.

Erik D. Fagerholm

W. M. C. Foulkes

Karl J. Friston

Rosalyn J. Moran

Robert Leech

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

数学神经科学杂志 (JMN) 发表关于神经科学所有领域的数学建模和分析的研究文章，即神经系统及其功能障碍的研究。重点是使用数学作为主要工具来阐明负责在所有相关尺度（从分子世界到认知世界）的神经科学中实验观察到的行为的基本机制。其目的是发表使用先进数学技术来阐明这些问题的作品。它发表完整的原创论文、快速交流和评论文章。特别鼓励结合令人信服的数值实验支持的理论结果的论文。也欢迎介绍和帮助开发可能与未来神经系统特别是人类大脑研究相关的新数学理论的论文.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN) is dedicated to publishing research articles on mathematical modeling and analysis across all fields of neuroscience, focusing on the study of the nervous system and its disorders. The journal emphasizes the use of mathematics as a primary tool to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms behind experimentally observed behaviors in neuroscience, spanning from the molecular to the cognitive level. We aim to publish original research papers, rapid communications, and review articles that employ advanced mathematical techniques to address these issues. We particularly encourage submissions that present theoretical results supported by compelling numerical experiments. Additionally, we welcome papers that introduce and help develop new mathematical theories that may be relevant to future research on the nervous system, especially the human brain.

《Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience》是一本专注于神经科学各个领域的数学建模与分析研究的期刊。我们致力于使用数学工具揭示神经系统及其功能障碍的基本机制，涵盖从分子层面到认知层面的实验观察。期刊欢迎发表使用先进数学技术的原创研究论文、快速交流和评论文章，特别鼓励那些结合有力数值实验支持的理论成果的研究。同时，我们也欢迎介绍和发展与未来神经系统研究，尤其是人类大脑相关的新数学理论的论文。

Category	Quartile
医学	4
医学, 数学与计算生物学	3
医学, 数学跨学科应用	3
医学, 神经科学	4

Rendering neuronal state equations compatible with the principle of stationary action

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