Journal Article

Simulations of working memory spiking networks driven by short-term plasticity

Golosio, Bruno, Tiddia, Gianmarco, Paolucci, Pier Stanislao, Fanti, Viviana

2022

Overview

Working Memory is a cognitive mechanism which enables temporary holding and manipulation of information in the human brain. This mechanism is mainly characterized by a neuronal persistent activity during which neuron populations are able to maintain an enhanced spiking activity after being triggered by a short external cue. In this work we implement, using the NEST simulator, a spiking neural network model in which the working memory activity is sustained by a mechanism of short-term synaptic facilitation related to calcium kinetics. The model, characterized by leaky integrate-and-fire neurons with exponential postsynaptic currents, is able to autonomously show an activity regime in which the memory information can be stored in a synaptic form as a result of synaptic facilitation, with spiking activity functional to facilitation maintenance. The network is able to simultaneously keep multiple memories by showing an alternated synchronous activity which preserves the synaptic facilitation within the neuron populations holding memory information. The results shown in this work confirm that a working memory mechanism can be sustained by synaptic facilitation.

• Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
• Subject: Cognitive ability / Firing pattern / Memory / Neural networks / Neurons / Neurotransmitters / Short term memory