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Activity Dynamics and Signal Representation in a Striatal Network Model with Distance-Dependent Connectivity
Sebastian Spreizer1,2, Martin Angelhuber1,2, Jyotika Bahuguna3
1Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, D-79104, Germany.
Eneuro
|August 26, 2017
Summary
Striatal network connectivity influences brain activity patterns. Nonmonotonic connectivity supports diverse dynamics, including those seen in experiments, unlike monotonic connectivity which only allows asynchronous-irregular activity.
Area of Science:
- Computational Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
- Neurobiology of Movement
Background:
- The striatum, a key basal ganglia component, is vital for action control.
- Understanding striatal activity dynamics is essential for deciphering motor functions.
- Previous models often simplify network connectivity, limiting insights into complex dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how spatial network connectivity shapes spatiotemporal activity in the striatum.
- To model striatal dynamics using different connectivity profiles and compare with experimental observations.
- To explore the implications of these dynamics for stimulus sensitivity and brain disorders.
Main Methods:
- Simulated striatal networks with varying distance-dependent connectivity patterns (gamma and Gaussian distributions).
- Analysis of emergent spatiotemporal activity dynamics, including asynchronous-irregular (AI), winner-take-all (WTA), and transition activity (TA) regimes.
- Comparison of model-generated dynamics with experimental data on striatal neuronal assemblies and activity.
Main Results:
- Nonmonotonic, gamma-distributed connectivity supports a rich repertoire of dynamics (AI, WTA, TA), with TA resembling experimental findings.
- Monotonic, Gaussian-distributed connectivity is restricted to the AI state.
- Model predicts strong cortical inputs drive striatum to WTA, reducing stimulus sensitivity, while AI/TA states offer higher sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent connectivity among striatal projection neurons likely varies nonmonotonically to support observed complex dynamics.
- The striatum may operate in AI/TA states in healthy conditions, transitioning to a WTA state with dopamine depletion (e.g., Parkinson's disease).
- Network dynamics significantly impact information processing and stimulus sensitivity in the striatum.
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