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Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Compte, A; Brunel, N; Goldman-Rakic, PS; Wang, XJ
Published in: Cereb Cortex
September 2000

Single-neuron recordings from behaving primates have established a link between working memory processes and information-specific neuronal persistent activity in the prefrontal cortex. Using a network model endowed with a columnar architecture and based on the physiological properties of cortical neurons and synapses, we have examined the synaptic mechanisms of selective persistent activity underlying spatial working memory in the prefrontal cortex. Our model reproduces the phenomenology of the oculomotor delayed-response experiment of Funahashi et al. (S. Funahashi, C.J. Bruce and P.S. Goldman-Rakic, Mnemonic coding of visual space in the monkey's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. J Neurophysiol 61:331-349, 1989). To observe stable spontaneous and persistent activity, we find that recurrent synaptic excitation should be primarily mediated by NMDA receptors, and that overall recurrent synaptic interactions should be dominated by inhibition. Isodirectional tuning of adjacent pyramidal cells and interneurons can be accounted for by a structured pyramid-to-interneuron connectivity. Robust memory storage against random drift of the tuned persistent activity and against distractors (intervening stimuli during the delay period) may be enhanced by neuromodulation of recurrent synapses. Experimentally testable predictions concerning the neural basis of working memory are discussed.

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Published In

Cereb Cortex

DOI

ISSN

1047-3211

Publication Date

September 2000

Volume

10

Issue

9

Start / End Page

910 / 923

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Synapses
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Pyramidal Cells
  • Prefrontal Cortex
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Models, Neurological
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Interneurons
  • Haplorhini
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Compte, A., Brunel, N., Goldman-Rakic, P. S., & Wang, X. J. (2000). Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model. Cereb Cortex, 10(9), 910–923. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/10.9.910
Compte, A., N. Brunel, P. S. Goldman-Rakic, and X. J. Wang. “Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model.Cereb Cortex 10, no. 9 (September 2000): 910–23. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/10.9.910.
Compte A, Brunel N, Goldman-Rakic PS, Wang XJ. Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model. Cereb Cortex. 2000 Sep;10(9):910–23.
Compte, A., et al. “Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model.Cereb Cortex, vol. 10, no. 9, Sept. 2000, pp. 910–23. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/cercor/10.9.910.
Compte A, Brunel N, Goldman-Rakic PS, Wang XJ. Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model. Cereb Cortex. 2000 Sep;10(9):910–923.
Journal cover image

Published In

Cereb Cortex

DOI

ISSN

1047-3211

Publication Date

September 2000

Volume

10

Issue

9

Start / End Page

910 / 923

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Synapses
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Pyramidal Cells
  • Prefrontal Cortex
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Models, Neurological
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Interneurons
  • Haplorhini