Cited by 200Motor Control and AdaptationNeural dynamics and brain functionMemory and Neural Mechanisms

A neural circuit model of flexible sensorimotor mapping: learning and forgetting on multiple timescales

Open access
Fusi, Stefano, Asaad, Wael F., Miller, Earl K., Wang, Xiao-Jing·2007·Neuron

Abstract

Volitional behavior relies on the brain's ability to remap sensory flow to motor programs whenever demanded by a changed behavioral context. To investigate the circuit basis of such flexible behavior, we have developed a biophysically based decision-making network model of spiking neurons for arbitrary sensorimotor mapping. The model quantitatively reproduces behavioral and prefrontal single-cell data from an experiment in which monkeys learn visuomotor associations that are reversed unpredictably from time to time. We show that when synaptic modifications occur on multiple timescales, the model behavior becomes flexible only when needed: slow components of learning usually dominate the decision process. However, if behavioral contexts change frequently enough, fast components of plasticity take over, and the behavior exhibits a quick forget-and-learn pattern. This model prediction is confirmed by monkey data. Therefore, our work reveals a scenario for conditional associative learning that is distinct from instant switching between sets of well-established sensorimotor associations.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.03.017

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  • We used binary synapses that undergo a stochastic Hebbian learning rule, namely that synaptic plasticity depends on coactivation of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and takes place probabilistically.

    “Specifically, we used binary synapses that undergo a stochastic Hebbian learning rule, namely that synaptic plasticity depends on coactivation of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and takes place probabilistically (Fusi, 2002; Fusi et al., 2007).”

    From Decision Making in Recurrent Neuronal Circuits (2008) · cites this paper as Fusi et al., 2007

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Curti, E.; Wang, XJ.; Fusi, S. Mechanisms for the formation of neural representations of abstract rules; CNS*2006 Proceedings; 2006;
  2. Williams R. Simple statistical gradient-following algorithms learning by stochastic hill climbing on discounted reward. Machine Learning 1992;8:229-256.

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Authors
Fusi, S., Asaad, W. F., Miller, E. K., & Wang, X.-J.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Wang, Xiao-Jing
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-04
Volume
54
Issue
2
Pages
319-333
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2101666653
Cited by
199
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 8
FWCI
8.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Funders
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (106556)
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ns035145-15)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH062349)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA016455, R01DA016455)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS050944, NS50944, R01-NS035145, 5R01NS35145-9)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
sensorimotor mapping, behavioral flexibility, associative learning, forgetting, synaptic plasticity, multiple time scales, prefrontal cortex, spiking neuron models, conditional learning
MeSH terms
Algorithms, Animals, Haplorhini, Association Learning, Cues, Decision Making, Learning, Memory, Models, Neurological, Neurons, Psychomotor Performance, Mental Recall, Synapses, Neural Networks, Computer, Prefrontal Cortex

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