QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, November 16, 2005, 25(46):10786-10795; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3508-05.2005

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (35) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vogels, T. P. Articles by Abbott, L. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Vogels, T. P. Articles by Abbott, L. F.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive
Signal Propagation and Logic Gating in Networks of Integrate-and-Fire Neurons

Tim P. Vogels and L. F. Abbott

Volen Center for Complex Systems and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9110

Transmission of signals within the brain is essential for cognitive function, but it is not clear how neural circuits support reliable and accurate signal propagation over a sufficiently large dynamic range. Two modes of propagation have been studied: synfire chains, in which synchronous activity travels through feedforward layers of a neuronal network, and the propagation of fluctuations in firing rate across these layers. In both cases, a sufficient amount of noise, which was added to previous models from an external source, had to be included to support stable propagation. Sparse, randomly connected networks of spiking model neurons can generate chaotic patterns of activity. We investigate whether this activity, which is a more realistic noise source, is sufficient to allow for signal transmission. We find that, for rate-coded signals but not for synfire chains, such networks support robust and accurate signal reproduction through up to six layers if appropriate adjustments are made in synaptic strengths. We investigate the factors affecting transmission and show that multiple signals can propagate simultaneously along different pathways. Using this feature, we show how different types of logic gates can arise within the architecture of the random network through the strengthening of specific synapses.

Key words: rate coding; sensory processing; propagation; integrate-and-fire neurons; network models; synfire chains; logic gates

---

Received April 11, 2005; revised October 6, 2005; accepted October 7, 2005.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. V. Rangan, D. Cai, and D. W. McLaughlin Quantifying neuronal network dynamics through coarse-grained event trees PNAS, August 5, 2008; 105(31): 10990 - 10995. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kumar, S. Rotter, and A. Aertsen Conditions for Propagating Synchronous Spiking and Asynchronous Firing Rates in a Cortical Network Model J. Neurosci., May 14, 2008; 28(20): 5268 - 5280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Sussillo, T. Toyoizumi, and W. Maass Self-Tuning of Neural Circuits Through Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2007; 97(6): 4079 - 4095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Destexhe and D. Contreras Neuronal computations with stochastic network states. Science, October 6, 2006; 314(5796): 85 - 90. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help