Using Top-Down Approaches to Investigate Compressible Sequence Learning in the Hippocampus

The hippocampus is capable of rapidly learning incoming information, even if that information is only observed once.   Further, this information can be replayed in a compressed format during Sharp Wave Ripples (SPW-R).  We leveraged state-of-the-art techniques in training recurrent spiking networks to demonstrate how primarily interneuron networks can: 1) generate internal theta sequences to bind externally elicited spikes in the presence of septal inhibition, 2) compress learned spike sequences in the form of a SPW-R when septal inhibition is removed, 3) generate and refine gamma-assemblies during SPW-R mediated compression, and 4) regulate the inter-ripple-interval timing between SPW-R’s in ripple clusters.  From the fast time scale of neurons to the slow time scale of behaviors, interneuron networks serve as the scaffolding for one-shot learning by replaying, refining, and regulating spike sequences. 

Thursday, January 17, 2019 - 12:00

704 Thackeray Hall

Speaker Information
Wilten Nicola
Imperial College London