Coherent Dynamics in the Frontal Cortex of the Behaving Monkey

Experimental Observations and Model Interpretation
  • Ad Aertsen
  • Michael Erb
  • Iris Haalman
  • Eilon Vaadia
Chapter

Abstract

We have explored the hypothesis that cortical function is mediated by dynamic modulation of coherent firing in groups of neurons. Multiple single neuron activity was recorded in the frontal cortex of behaving monkeys, and analyzed for signs of correlation, using recently developed tools of dynamic correlation analysis. Correlation between neurons changed frequently within a fraction of a second, and in relation to stimuli and behavioral events. Moreover, the dynamic patterns of correlation depended on the distance between neurons. These findings support the notion that, in order to perform a computational task, neurons can associate rapidly into a functional group, while dissociating from concurrently activated competing groups. Possible mechanisms underlying such dynamic organization were investigated in spiking neural network models. We found that similar dynamic organization can be accomplished in these models, even without associated modifications of the synaptic connections. We discuss the consequences of. these findings for the spatio-temporal organization of cortical cell assemblies.

Keywords

Frontal Cortex Firing Rate Cell Assembly Spike Train Model Neuron 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ad Aertsen
    • 1
  • Michael Erb
    • 2
  • Iris Haalman
    • 3
  • Eilon Vaadia
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of NeurobiologyThe Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
  2. 2.Department of BiophysicsPhilipps-Universität Renthof 7MarburgGermany
  3. 3.Department of Physiology, Hadassah School of Medicine and The Center for Neural ComputationThe Hebrew UniversityJerusalemIsrael

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