Pattern segmentation with activity dependent natural frequency shift and sub-threshold resonance

Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 9:5:8851. doi: 10.1038/srep08851.

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms underlying distributed pattern formation in brain networks and its content driven dynamical segmentation is an area of intense study. We investigate a theoretical mechanism for selective activation of diverse neural populations that is based on dynamically shifting cellular resonances in functionally or structurally coupled networks. We specifically show that sub-threshold neuronal depolarization from synaptic coupling or external input can shift neurons into and out of resonance with specific bands of existing extracellular oscillations, and this can act as a dynamic readout mechanism during information storage and retrieval. We find that this mechanism is robust and suggest it as a general coding strategy that can be applied to any network with oscillatory nodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*