2021/04/22 by Kurikawa, Tomoki · 1 citation
#Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) #FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Neurons and Cognition (q-bio.NC)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2104.10829
Transitions between metastable states are commonly observed in the neural system and underlie various cognitive functions such as working memory. In a previous study, we have developed a neural network model with the slow and fast populations, wherein simple Hebb-type learning enables stable and complex (e.g., non-Markov) transitions between neural states. This model is distinct from a network with asymmetric Hebbian connectivity and a network trained with supervised machine learning methods: the former generates simple Markov sequences. The latter generates complex but vulnerable sequences against perturbation and its learning methods are biologically implausible. By using our model, we propose and demonstrate a novel mechanism underlying stable working memories: sequentially stabilizing and destabilizing task-related states in the fast neural dynamics. The slow dynamics maintain a history of the applied inputs, e.g., context signals, and enable the task-related states to be stabilized in a context-dependent manner. We found that only a single (or a few) state(s) is stabilized in each epoch (i.e., a period in the presence of the context signal and a delayed period) in a working memory task, resulting in a robust performance against noise and change in a task protocol. These results suggest a simple mechanism underlying complex and stable processing in neural systems.