Synaptic plasticity controls sensory responses through frequency-dependent gamma oscillation resonance.
Synchronized gamma frequency oscillations in neural networks are thought to be important to sensory information processing, and their effects have been intensively studied. Here we describe a mechanism by which the nervous system can readily control gamma oscillation effects, depending selectively on visual stimuli. Using a model neural network simulation, we found that sensory response in the primary visual cortex is significantly modulated by the resonance between "spontaneous" and "stimulus-driven" oscillations. This gamma resonance can be precisely controlled by the synaptic plasticity of thalamocortical connections, and cortical response is regulated differentially according to the resonance condition. The mechanism produces a selective synchronization between the afferent and downstream neural population. Our simulation results explain experimental observations such as stimulus-dependent synchronization between the thalamus and the cortex at different oscillation frequencies. The model generally shows how sensory information can be selectively routed depending on its frequency components.
Paik
Se-Bum
SB
Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America. spaik@berkeley.edu
Glaser
Donald A
DA
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology