Short-term memory in olfactory network dynamics

摘要: Neural assemblies in a number of animal species display self-organized, synchronized oscillations response to sensory stimuli variety brain areas. In the olfactory system insects, odour-evoked oscillatory synchronization antennal lobe projection neurons (PNs) is superimposed on slower and stimulus-specific temporal activity patterns. Hence, each odour activates specific dynamic neuron assembly whose evolution during stimulus locked oscillation clock. Here we examine, using locusts, changes population dynamics projection-neuron over repeated stimulations, as would occur when an first encounters then repeatedly samples for identification or localization. We find that responses these rapidly decrease intensity, while they show marked increase spike time precision inter-neuronal coherence. Once established, this enhanced representation endures several minutes. This change stimulus-specific, depends events within circuits, independent receptor adaptation: it may thus constitute form memory. Our results suggest progressive network serves converge, samplings, more precise readily classifiable representation, relational information contained across neural assemblies.