A working memory model based on excitatory-inhibitory interactions and calcium dynamics

• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-11-s1-p32
• Publication Date: 2010-07-20T19:03:14Z
• Authors: Kyle Lyman; Robert McDougal; Brian Myers; Joseph Tien; Mustafa Zeki; Christopher Fall; David Terman
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Network Dynamics; Bistability

Working memory corresponds to our ability store and manipulate information for a short time in order carry out complex cognitive tasks. The brain region most closely associated with working is the prefrontal cortex; neurons within PFC show sustained elevated activity that persists after removal of stimulus. It believed this held during delay period guide forthcoming response. Problems have been implicated numerous neurological diseases including schizophrenia.

There models persistent activity. Most these are based on either intrinsic cellular properties or recurrent excitatory connections, formed learning, among selective populations coding different memory. One problem class they deal novel stimuli through synaptic which may be too slow account generalize unique

Here, we present model excitatory-inhibitory interactions. includes mechanism allows bistability between resting background state calcium dynamics; is, changes intracellular an projection neuron leads excitability cell cell’s respond inhibitory input. reproduces several important network multistable: both state, all fire at low firing rate, states, some subpopulation cells stable. capable maintaining limited number states same time. robust noise distracters; however, one can also reset once ‘memory’ no longer needed switch another if, perhaps, it presented more salient cue. During rates constrained by experimental data. In particular, irregularly coefficient variation close one. able retain completely stimuli. Finally, explore role neuromodulators altering processing memories how lead disease.