Convex Sunflower Theorems and Neural Codes

Explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and discrete geometry in this 58-minute lecture by Amzi Jeffs. Delve into the groundbreaking discovery of place cells in rat hippocampi and their role in cognitive mapping. Examine the mathematical model of convex codes introduced by Curto et al. and the challenges in classifying them. Learn about new discrete geometry theorems inspired by Helly and Tverberg, and their application in proving surprising results about the dimensionality of convex open set realizations for neural codes. Investigate concepts such as convex sunflowers, trunks, and the relationship between the number of neurons and the complexity of their spatial representations. Gain insights into the unexpected connections between seemingly disparate fields and the potential implications for our understanding of neural encoding and spatial cognition.