Basic mechanisms for graded persistent activity: Discrete attractors, continuous attractors, and dynamic representations

Brody, C. D., Romo, R., Kepecs, A. (2003) Basic mechanisms for graded persistent activity: Discrete attractors, continuous attractors, and dynamic representations. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 13 (2). pp. 204-211. ISSN 09594388 (ISSN)

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12744975
DOI: 10.1016/s0959-4388(03)00050-3

Abstract

Persistent neural activity is observed in many systems, and is thought to be a neural substrate for holding memories over time delays of a few seconds. Recent work has addressed two issues. First, how can networks of neurons robustly hold such an active memory? Computer systems obtain significant robustness to noise by approximating analogue quantities with discrete digital representations. In a similar manner, theoretical models of persistent activity in spiking neurons have shown that the most robust and stable way to store the short-term memory of a continuous parameter is to approximate it with a discrete representation. This general idea applies very broadly to mechanisms that range from biochemical networks to single cells and to large circuits of neurons. Second, why is it commonly observed that persistent activity in the cortex can be strongly time-varying? This observation is almost ubiquitous, and therefore must be taken into account in our models and our understanding of how short-term memories are held in the cortex.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: animal behavior brain cortex brain nerve cell computer system distractibility hysteresis nerve cell network nerve conduction noise nonhuman priority journal review short term memory theoretical model Animals Brain Humans Memory, Short-Term Models, Neurological Nerve Net Neurons
Subjects: organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions > brain
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions
organism description > animal behavior > memory
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Kepecs lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 2003
Date Deposited: 10 Apr 2013 20:30
Last Modified: 10 Apr 2013 20:30
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/28112

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