Flexible control of mutual inhibition: a neural model of two-interval discrimination
Abstract
Networks adapt to environmental demands by switching between distinct dynamical behaviors. The activity of frontal-lobe neurons during two-interval discrimination tasks is an example of these adaptable dynamics. Subjects first perceive a stimulus, then hold it in working memory, and finally make a decision by comparing it with a second stimulus. We present a simple mutual-inhibition network model that captures all three task phases within a single framework. The model integrates both working memory and decision making because its dynamical properties are easily controlled without changing its connectivity. Mutual inhibition between nonlinear units is a useful design motif for networks that must display multiple behaviors.
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Machens et al. showed that such a circuit could perform discrimination computation during the comparison period, provided that a switching mechanism was posited for the afferent stimuli.
“Machens et al. (2005) showed that such a circuit could also perform discrimination computation (f1 > f2 or f1 < f2) during the comparison period (Figure 2E), provided that a switching mechanism was posited for the afferent stimuli, such that the second stimulus reached the memory/decision circuit with the opposite sign of tuning to the first stimulus.”
From Decision Making in Recurrent Neuronal Circuits (2008) · cites this paper as Machens et al., 2005
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- Authors
- Machens, C. K., Romo, R., & Brody, C. D.
- Affiliations
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (US)
- Corresponding author
- Brody, Carlos D.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2005-02-18
- Volume
- 307
- Issue
- 5712
- Pages
- 1121-1124
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1966841546
- Cited by
- 535
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 13.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Institutional Repository (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH067991)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Neural Networks and Applications
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- reciprocal inhibition, working memory, decision-making, neural network model
- MeSH terms
- Algorithms, Animals, Cognition, Computer Simulation, Decision Making, Discrimination, Psychological, Frontal Lobe, Macaca, Mathematics, Memory, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net, Neural Inhibition, Neurons, Neurons, Afferent, Psychomotor Performance, Somatosensory Cortex, Neural Networks, Computer, Prefrontal Cortex, Nonlinear Dynamics
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