modeling neuron; how to make a simulated model neuron; software, tools free package, open source; Computational Neuroscience : simulation, neuroengineering, neurophysics; modeliser le "neurone"; NEURON, GENESIS, NEUROCAL (Matlab)

Using well-characterized preparations allows simulation of the cable equation and several freely available packages are designed to assist with cable modeling.
Trois logiciels pour la modélisation électrique du "neurone":
-NEURON (http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/)
-GENESIS http://genesis-sim.org/
(old, before 2008: http://www.genesis-sim.org/GENESIS/).
-Neurocal is a simplified package written in MATLAB that is very easy to use and modify.
 http://www.mathworks.ch/matlabcentral/fileexchange/1588-neurocal
 Combining easily modeled, well-documented neurological preparations with simple lab experiments and accurate, easy to use active cable equation simulators is a powerful application of the engineering methodology of simulate, design, fabricate, and test.

1-NEURONThe alpha version directory also contains source code for the alpha versions, which you can download and compile on your own machine. After downloading the nrn-nn.alpha.tar.gz and iv-mm.tar.gz from the alpha version directory, follow the same instructions as for compiling the standard distribution for your operating system
    OS X
    MSWin (95 and up)
    UNIX/Linux 


2-GENESIS
 GENESIS (short for GEneral NEural SImulation System) is a general purpose simulation platform that was developed to support the simulation of neural systems ranging from subcellular components and biochemical reactions to complex models of single neurons, simulations of large networks, and systems-level models. As such, GENESIS, and its version for parallel and networked computers (PGENESIS) was the first broad scale modeling system in computational biology to encourage modelers to develop and share model features and components.
If you would like become a GENESIS developer, please send a request to genesis@genesis-sim.org with the subject "New Developer Request."
The following operating systems are currently supported for developer installations of GENESIS: 

• Debian Server
• Fedora 10
• Fedora 12 and Higher
• Ubuntu (Lenny/Sid)
• Ubuntu (Karmic)
• Ubuntu (Lucid)
• Ubuntu (Maverick)
• Mac OSX

3-Neurocal
Simulation describing the electrophysiological behavior of a biological neuron (nerve cell). Two sets of membrane kinetics are included: Hodgkin-Huxley and Schwarz for unmyelinated and myelinated axons. Straight forward approach makes for easy use, somewhat easier than Neuron and Genesis.Very well layout in plot GUI allows multiple variables to be graphed, a real plus over Neuron. If inproved on would like to see parabolic bursting added non the less an outstanding project for a freebee.

MATLAB ---> multiplatform
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Ref:
NEURON
Carnevale, N.T. and M.L. Hines, The Neuron book. 2006, Cambridge, UK; New York:
Cambridge University Press. xix, 457p.
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GENESIS
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Bower, J.M. and D. Beeman, The book of Genesis: exploring realistic neural models with the
GEneral NEural SImulation System. 1998. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. New York.
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NEUROCAL
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Zeng, L. and M.D. Dominique, Extracellular voltage profile for reversing the recruitment
order of peripheral nerve stimulation: a simulation study. Journal of Neural Engineering,
2004, 4: 202.
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Other  Stand Alone Programs for use in Computational Neuroscience:
http://genesis-sim.org/utilities

Xplot

Electrotonic

The Gencompress Utility

Mesh Generator for Neurons

Postscript

RALLPACKS version 1.1

Spikeplot

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Ref (review):
Basham E, Yang Z, Tchemodanov N, Liu W. Magnetic stimulation of neural tissue: techniques and system design. Implantable Neural Prostheses 1 2009;293–351.
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TMS (Boyden MIT): The Open Noninvasive Brain Stimulator

The goal of this project (http://transcenmentalism.org/OpenStim/tiki-index.php) is to design a simple, safe, effective TMS device for modulation of emotion, sleep, attention, and other central nervous system properties.
Many commercial entities sell TMS hardware and software, often for prices exceeding $50,000. We will devise a TMS device that will be constructable by a practitioner skilled in electrical engineering, for less than $400.

The project comprises at least the following 8 components. The logical way to begin is to A) figure out the field geometry desired at the specific depth under the skull, B) design a prototype coil, preferably with standardized values, C) pick the capacitor and resistor adjoining, D) work your way back to the power supply.

1. a reinforced coil (e.g., of copper wire) geometrically appropriate for stimulating the brain (e.g., a figure-8 coil, containing two circular loops, between 3 and 7 cm in diameter),

1b. a testing tank which would hold saline, to mimic the volume conductor of the brain, and thereby permit the electric field to be mapped for various coils and pulse protocols,

2. the control circuitry for charging up a high-capacity capacitor or bank of capacitors, via a power supply system connected to an AC wall source or battery source, and then controlling the discharge of the capacitor into the coil,

3. mechanical hardware for holding and positioning the coil with respect to the head,

4. safety circuitry that limits the current discharged and the repetition rate of the stimulator,

5. an optional measurement device (e.g., fluxgate magnetometer) to measure the magnetic field induced, and

6. computer software and interface hardware for connecting a computer to the control circuitry, and for displaying hardware status and/or error events.

7. integration with EEG or IR was brought up by many attendees of the session at Foo Camp. The contributors decided this should be built in, a priori.

8. OTHER THOUGHT: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has, like TMS, been shown to improve working memory and mood. Shall we design our TMS device with the capability of doing simultaneous tDCS? It could complicate things somewhat. Hoewver, the methodology is dead simple — apply a DC current across two electrodes, attached to the scalp!