Cholinergic modulation of pattern formation in excitatory-inhibitory neural networks

Abstract:

The characteristics of neural network activity depend on intrinsic neural properties and synaptic connectivity in the network.  In brain networks, both of these properties are critically affected by the type and levels of neuromodulators present.  The expression of many of the most powerful neuromodulators, including acetylcholine (ACh), varies tonically and phasically with behavioral state, leading to dynamic, heterogeneous changes in intrinsic neural properties and synaptic connectivity properties.  At the cellular level, ACh significantly alters neural excitability and firing properties as measured by the phase response curve (PRC) in a manner that has been shown to alter the propensity for network synchronization. In this talk, I'll discuss our investigations into the interaction of cellular ACh modulation and network connectivity structure in excitatory and inhibitory neural networks. Our results analyze the influence of this interaction on determining spatio-temporal network activity patterns and potential functional effects of network activity pattern modulation.