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Random fluctuations and synaptic plasticity enhance working memory activities in the neuron–astrocyte network

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Abstract

Random fluctuations are inescapable feature in biological systems, but appropriate intensity of randomness can effectively facilitate information transfer and memory encoding within the nervous system. In the study, a modified spiking neuron–astrocyte network model with excitatory–inhibitory balance and synaptic plasticity is established. This model considers external input noise, and allows investigating the effects of intrinsic random fluctuations on working memory tasks. It is found that the astrocyte network, acting as a low-pass filter, reduces the noise component of the total input currents and improves the recovered images. The memory performance is enhanced by selecting appropriate intensity of random fluctuations, while excessive intensity can inhibit signal transmission of network. As the intensity of random fluctuations gradually increases, there exists a maximum value of the working memory performance. The cued recall of the network markedly decreases excessive input noise relative to test images. Meanwhile, a greater contrast effect is observed as the external input noise increases. In addition, synaptic plasticity reduces the firing rates and firing peaks of neurons, thus stabilizing the working memory activity during the test. The outcomes of this study may provide some inspirations for comprehending the role of random fluctuations in working memory mechanisms and neural information processing within the cerebral cortex.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11675060, 12172340), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (CUGQT2023001), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2021M703011), and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LQ23A010010).

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  1. School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Zhuoheng Gao, Liqing Wu, Xin Zhao, Zhuochao Wei, Lulu Lu & Ming Yi

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  1. Zhuoheng Gao
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  3. Xin Zhao
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Gao, Z., Wu, L., Zhao, X. et al. Random fluctuations and synaptic plasticity enhance working memory activities in the neuron–astrocyte network. Cogn Neurodyn 18, 503–518 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11571-023-10002-y

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