EVENT DETAILS AND ABSTRACT

Title: Delay-Induced Neural Oscillations in Communicating Fish
Speaker: Brent Doiron
Speaker Info: Center for Neural Science, NYU
Brief Description:
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Abstract:

Closed-loop feedback architectures between separate neuronal assemblies are commonplace in the brain. These architectures allow self- interaction for a population of neurons, often delayed due to the finite velocity of axon transmission. The extensive feedback anatomy present in the sensory processing centers of weakly electric fish makes them ideal for the study of how delayed feedback dynamics influence sensory processing. We show that a delayed inhibitory feedback is responsible for an oscillatory burst discharge in primary electrosensory neurons. Interestingly, this response is contingent on driving stimuli that have large spatial extent, high frequency components, and significant spatial correlations. For electric fish the only natural stimuli that satisfies all of the above criteria is communication signals between fish. Using simplified neural networks and linear response theory this selective response is understood as a delay induced oscillation that resonates with the high frequency component of stimuli. Furthermore, the overall amplitude is scaled by the degree of spatial correlation in the stimuli. Thus, neural delayed feedback interactions impart a selective response to important natural stimuli for these animals.