Quantal synaptic failures are random, independent events in which the arrival of an action potential fails to release transmitter. Although quantal failures destroy information, we have discovered conditions where such failures enhance learning by a neural network model of the hippocampus. By...

Inhibitory networks play a crucial role in regulating the activity of target neurons: distinct patterns of interneuronal activity and transitions between them influence the excitability of pyramidal cells. Multiple neurons of a recurrently connected interneuron network converging on the...

The neural circuit is modeled using the NEURON simulation environment and is composed of four distinct groupings of cells representing the six layers of cortex. Electrophysiologically, each of the modeled cells incorporated into the model correspond to one of the three classes of neocortical...

We study complex dynamical synchronization in a nonlinear model of a neural system constituted by local networks of densely interconnected excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Neural dynamics are determined by voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels. Coupling between the local networks is...

The role of higher cortical regions in olfactory perception is not very well understood. Scientists must choose their stimuli based largely on their personal experience. There is no guarantee that the chosen stimuli are able to span ''olfactory perception space'' appropriately.A primary reason...

We propose a systematic way for constructing a neuronal model that produces spatiotemporal behavior of the type observed in locus olfaction. We solve the problem within the framework of a dynamic neural filter (DNF), a recurrent network that operates under constant inputs. Our system includes:...

There is striking similarity in the connectivity between perceptrons in an Artificial Neural Network and neurons in brain. Therefore it is a natural logical step to investigate cortical connectivity using Artificial Neural Networks. Present approaches to ascertaining cortical connectivity, e.g....

Cerebellar Purkinje cells exhibit a specific type of synaptic plasticity, called long-term depression (LTD). A number of cellular signal transduction pathways are known to induce LTD, but the entire mechanism still remains to be obscure. We constructed a computational model of Purkinje cell,...

Fairhall et al. (2001) recently reported on variance adaptation processes in cells of the fly visual system, and qualitatively similar effects have been observed in various vertebrate preparations. To better understand the contributions of somatic mechanisms to this kind of adaptation, we...

We hypothesized that a network of cortical neurons could store information over many hours in patterns of neural activity. To address this, slices of rat cortex were cultured and spontaneous extracellular field potentials were recorded using a 60 channel microelectrode array. Activity consisted...