Lukasz Kusmierz, Ph.D.
October 7(Thu) - October 7(Thu), 2021
12PM
ZOOM (ID: 728-142-6028)
Neuro@noon Seminar
Date: 12PM, Thursday, October 7th
ZOOM 회의 참가 ID: 728-142-6028
Speaker: Lukasz Kusmierz, Ph.D.
(Department of Psychology, Duke University)
Title: Synaptic connectivity patterns supporting neural information processing
Abstract:
How does neural wiring translate into network activity? Can we understand the function of a given circuit by studying its connectivity? Can we predict the optimal connectivity pattern for a given task? In the first part of my talk, I will briefly summarize some of the known results on how relatively simple synaptic connectivity patterns such as (a)symmetric connections, divergent and convergent pathways, and shallow and deep networks influence neural dynamics and information processing capabilities. In the second part of my talk, I will introduce our mathematical model predicting how the experimentally observed heavy-tailed synaptic weight distribution affects dynamics of neural networks. I will argue that the presence of sparse strong synapses in cortical circuits may be essential in supporting computations at the edge of chaos, characterized by low firing rates and large dynamical fluctuations in the form of neuronal avalanches.