Permitted and forbidden sets in symmetric threshold-linear networks

Richard H.R. Hahnloser, H. Sebastian Seung

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ascribing computational principles to neural feedback circuits is an important problem in theoretical neuroscience. We study symmetric threshold-linear networks and derive stability results that go beyond the insights that can be gained from Lyapunov theory or energy functions. By applying linear analysis to subnetworks composed of coactive neurons, we determine the stability of potential steady states. We find that stability depends on two types of eigen-modes. One type determines global stability and the other type determines whether or not multistability is possible. We can prove the equivalence of our stability criteria with criteria taken from quadratic programming. Also, we show that there are permitted sets of neurons that can be coactive at a steady state and forbidden sets that cannot. Permitted sets are clustered in the sense that subsets of permitted sets are permitted and supersets of forbidden sets are forbidden. By viewing permitted sets as memories stored in the synaptic connections, we can provide a formulation of long-term memory that is more general than the traditional perspective of fixed point attractor networks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems 13 - Proceedings of the 2000 Conference, NIPS 2000
PublisherNeural information processing systems foundation
ISBN (Print)0262122413, 9780262122412
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes
Event14th Annual Neural Information Processing Systems Conference, NIPS 2000 - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: Nov 27 2000Dec 2 2000

Publication series

NameAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems
ISSN (Print)1049-5258

Other

Other14th Annual Neural Information Processing Systems Conference, NIPS 2000
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period11/27/0012/2/00

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Information Systems
  • Signal Processing

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