Gating Multiple Signals through Detailed Balance of Excitation and Inhibition in Spiking Networks

Abstract:

Cognitive processing involves communication both within and between brain regions and requires precise dynamic control over which sub- circuits respond at any given time. Although considerable work has been done on signal propagation in networks, it is still unclear how propagation is gated to control the flow of information between specific sub-regions.

Extensive work has shown that neurons often receive globally balanced levels of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input that roughly cancel each other. We extend this idea to what we call "detailed balance", meaning that the levels of excitation and inhibition along specific signaling pathways are similarly balanced. While in the default state, signals fail to propagate because of cancellation between excitation and inhibition generated in the target region for each signaling pathway, but signal flow can be turned on by spoiling this balance. Further, it is possible to individually gate multiple signals streams within a single gating node, creating a biologically plausible neuronal multiplexer and raising the possibility of dynamically changing the functional architecture of a neuronal network.

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