Vertical signal flow and oscillations in a three-layer model of the cortex

Journal of Computational Neuroscience volume 3, pages125–136(1996)Cite this article

Abstract

A model of vertical signal flow across a layered cortical structure is presented and analyzed. Neurons communicate through spikes, which evoke an excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potential (spike response model). The layers incorporate two anatomical features - dendritic and axonal arborization patterns and distance-dependent time delays. The vertical signal flow through the network is discussed for various stimulus conditions using two different, but typical, axonal arborization patterns. We find stationary as well as oscillatory response, but the oscillatory response may be restricted to a single layer. Confronted with conflicting stimuli the network separates the patterns through phase-shifted oscillations. We also discuss two hypothetical animals, to be called “cat” and “mouse.” These have different axonal arborizations, which give rise to a different oscillatory response (if any) of the various layers.

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Author notes

  1. Raphael Ritz

    Present address: Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, POB 85800, 92186-5800, San Diego, CA, USA

Affiliations

  1. Physik-Department der TU München, D-85 747, Garching bei München, Germany

    Ursula Fuentes, Raphael Ritz, Wulfram Gerstner & J. Leo Van Hemmen

Authors
  1. Ursula Fuentes
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  2. Raphael Ritz
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  3. Wulfram Gerstner
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  4. J. Leo Van Hemmen
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Fuentes, U., Ritz, R., Gerstner, W. et al. Vertical signal flow and oscillations in a three-layer model of the cortex. J Comput Neurosci 3, 125–136 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160808

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Keywords

  • neural modeling
  • laminar structure
  • collective oscillations