The refractory period matters: unifying mechanisms of macroscopic brain waves

TL;DR

This paper introduces a minimal mean-field model of neuronal populations that highlights the critical role of the refractory period in generating complex brain oscillations, using the Maximum Caliber inference principle.

Contribution

It unifies the understanding of macroscopic brain waves by demonstrating the importance of the refractory period in collective neuronal dynamics, a factor previously overlooked.

Findings

Refractory period is essential for brain oscillation patterns.

A simple model with one neuron type explains complex oscillations.

Maximum Caliber effectively predicts collective neuronal behavior.

Abstract

The relationship between complex, brain oscillations and the dynamics of individual neurons is poorly understood. Here we utilize Maximum Caliber, a dynamical inference principle, to build a minimal, yet general model of the collective (mean-field) dynamics of large populations of neurons. In agreement with previous experimental observations, we describe a simple, testable mechanism, involving only a single type of neuron, by which many of these complex oscillatory patterns may emerge. Our model predicts that the refractory period of neurons, which has been previously neglected, is essential for these behaviors.