Modeling Human Cortical Microcircuits in Depression and Aging

This talk will present recent biophysically detailed modeling studies of human cortical microcircuits that examine how aging and depression alter both cortical function and EEG biomarkers. By leveraging human-specific electrophysiological, morphological, and transcriptomic data, these models reveal how changes in inhibitory interneuron function and neuronal excitability affect microcircuit dynamics. The work offers mechanistic insights into how these cellular changes may contribute to EEG biomarkers of aging and depression. It also demonstrates how these models can be used to simulate pharmacological interventions — such as α5-GABAA receptor–positive allosteric modulators — and estimate pharmacological efficacy from EEG signals.