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The Journal of Neuroscience, October 29, 2003, 23(30):9776-9785

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Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive
Enhancement of Synchronization in a Hybrid Neural Circuit by Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity

Thomas Nowotny,^1 * Valentin P. Zhigulin,^1,3 * Allan I. Selverston,¹ Henry D. I. Abarbanel,^1,2 and Mikhail I. Rabinovich¹

¹Institute for Nonlinear Science and ²Department of Physics and Marine Physical Laboratory (Scripps Institution of Oceanography), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0402, and ³Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125

Synchronization of neural activity is fundamental for many functions of the brain. We demonstrate that spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) enhances synchronization (entrainment) in a hybrid circuit composed of a spike generator, a dynamic clamp emulating an excitatory plastic synapse, and a chemically isolated neuron from the Aplysia abdominal ganglion. Fixed-phase entrainment of the Aplysia neuron to the spike generator is possible for a much wider range of frequency ratios and is more precise and more robust with the plastic synapse than with a nonplastic synapse of comparable strength. Further analysis in a computational model of Hodgkin–Huxley-type neurons reveals the mechanism behind this significant enhancement in synchronization. The experimentally observed STDP plasticity curve appears to be designed to adjust synaptic strength to a value suitable for stable entrainment of the postsynaptic neuron. One functional role of STDP might therefore be to facilitate synchronization or entrainment of nonidentical neurons.

Key words: synaptic plasticity; spike-timing dependent plasticity; synchronization; entrainment; hybrid circuit; dynamic clamp; neuronal control

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Received June 16, 2003; revised August 19, 2003; accepted August 25, 2003.

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