title: Emergent dynamics in a model of visual cortex.
abstract: This paper proposes that the network dynamics of the mammalian visual cortex are highly structured and strongly shaped by temporally localized barrages of excitatory and inhibitory firing we call 'multiple-firing events' (MFEs). Our proposal is based on careful study of a network of spiking neurons built to reflect the coarse physiology of a small patch of layer 2/3 of V1. When appropriately benchmarked this network is capable of reproducing the qualitative features of a range of phenomena observed in the real visual cortex, including spontaneous background patterns, orientation-specific responses, surround suppression and gamma-band oscillations. Detailed investigation into the relevant regimes reveals causal relationships among dynamical events driven by a strong competition between the excitatory and inhibitory populations. It suggests that along with firing rates, MFE characteristics can be a powerful signature of a regime. Testable predictions based on model observations and dynamical analysis are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY, USA, rangan@cims.nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Aaditya V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Rangan
authors.forename: Lai-Sang
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D019985:Benchmarking; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005544:Forecasting; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A