A Rich Spectrum of Neural Field Dynamics in the Presence of Short-Term Synaptic Depression

TL;DR

This paper explores how short-term synaptic depression influences the dynamics of continuous attractor neural networks, revealing complex and chaotic firing patterns that could enhance stimulus encoding.

Contribution

It demonstrates that STD can induce diverse dynamic states in CANNs, including chaos, which was not previously characterized in this context.

Findings

CANNs with STD support complex firing patterns

Short-term depression induces chaotic behaviors in CANNs

Chaotic dynamics may improve stimulus encoding

Abstract

In continuous attractor neural networks (CANNs), spatially continuous information such as orientation, head direction, and spatial location is represented by Gaussian-like tuning curves that can be displaced continuously in the space of the preferred stimuli of the neurons. We investigate how short-term synaptic depression (STD) can reshape the intrinsic dynamics of the CANN model and its responses to a single static input. In particular, CANNs with STD can support various complex firing patterns and chaotic behaviors. These chaotic behaviors have the potential to encode various stimuli in the neuronal system.