Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network.
Cortical columnar architecture was discovered decades ago yet there is no agreed upon explanation for its function. Indeed, some have suggested that it has no function, it is simply an epiphenomenon of developmental processes. To investigate this problem we have constructed a computer model of one s...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2015-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119072 |
| _version_ | 1818590219230773248 |
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| author | Paul C Bush Zachary F Mainen |
| author_facet | Paul C Bush Zachary F Mainen |
| author_sort | Paul C Bush |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cortical columnar architecture was discovered decades ago yet there is no agreed upon explanation for its function. Indeed, some have suggested that it has no function, it is simply an epiphenomenon of developmental processes. To investigate this problem we have constructed a computer model of one square millimeter of layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex (V1) of the cat. Model cells are connected according to data from recent paired cell studies, in particular the connection probability between pyramidal cells is inversely proportional both to the distance separating the cells and to the distance between the preferred parameters (features) of the cells. We find that these constraints, together with a columnar architecture, produce more tightly clustered populations of cells when compared to the random architecture seen in, for example, rodents. This causes the columnar network to converge more quickly and accurately on the pattern representing a particular stimulus in the presence of noise, suggesting that columnar connectivity functions to improve pattern recognition in cortical circuits. The model also suggests that synaptic failure, a phenomenon exhibited by weak synapses, may conserve metabolic resources by reducing transmitter release at these connections that do not contribute to network function. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T09:53:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-516ab0a6dac94bd28357f10b92c96d84 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T09:53:04Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-516ab0a6dac94bd28357f10b92c96d842022-12-21T22:36:00ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032015-01-01103e011907210.1371/journal.pone.0119072Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network.Paul C BushZachary F MainenCortical columnar architecture was discovered decades ago yet there is no agreed upon explanation for its function. Indeed, some have suggested that it has no function, it is simply an epiphenomenon of developmental processes. To investigate this problem we have constructed a computer model of one square millimeter of layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex (V1) of the cat. Model cells are connected according to data from recent paired cell studies, in particular the connection probability between pyramidal cells is inversely proportional both to the distance separating the cells and to the distance between the preferred parameters (features) of the cells. We find that these constraints, together with a columnar architecture, produce more tightly clustered populations of cells when compared to the random architecture seen in, for example, rodents. This causes the columnar network to converge more quickly and accurately on the pattern representing a particular stimulus in the presence of noise, suggesting that columnar connectivity functions to improve pattern recognition in cortical circuits. The model also suggests that synaptic failure, a phenomenon exhibited by weak synapses, may conserve metabolic resources by reducing transmitter release at these connections that do not contribute to network function.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119072 |
| spellingShingle | Paul C Bush Zachary F Mainen Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. PLoS ONE |
| title | Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. |
| title_full | Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. |
| title_fullStr | Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. |
| title_short | Columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network. |
| title_sort | columnar architecture improves noise robustness in a model cortical network |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119072 |
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