CNN model of the feature-linked synchronized activities in the visual thalamo-cortical system

Abstract

In order to investigate whether thalamic synchronization may contribute to the binding of different cortical representations in visual information processing, we made a neuromorphic model of the thalamo-cortical loop, using the cellular neural network (CNN) model and simulator. It is demonstrated with the aid of this model that the cortico-thalamic feedback by synchronizing dLGN relay cell responses, provides a temporal code and this may induce correlated activities in the target cortical neuron population. Our results support the notion that using synchronization of temporally structured activities as general integration mechanism, the processing of visual information occurs simultaneously in the highly interconnected thalamo-cortical system.