Stochastic Network Models in Neuroscience: A Festschrift for Jack Cowan. Introduction to the Special Issue

Jack Cowan’s remarkable career has spanned, and molded, the development of neuroscience as a quantitative and mathematical discipline combining deep theoretical contributions, rigorous mathematical work and groundbreaking biological insights. The Banff International Research Station hosted a workshop in his honor, on Stochastic Network Models of Neocortex, July 17–24, 2014. This accompanying Festschrift celebrates Cowan’s contributions by assembling current research in stochastic phenomena in neural networks. It combines historical perspectives with new results including applications to epilepsy, path-integral methods, stochastic synchronization, higher-order correlation analysis, and pattern formation in visual cortex.