Unsupervised learning and adaptation in a model of adult neurogenesis

Adult neurogenesis has long been documented in the vertebrate brain and recently even in humans. Although it has been conjectured for many years that its functional role is related to the renewing of memories, no clear mechanism as to how this can be achieved has been proposed. Using the mammalian o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of computational neuroscience 2001-09, Vol.11 (2), p.175-182
Main Authors: Cecchi, G A, Petreanu, L T, Alvarez-Buylla, A, Magnasco, M O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials - physiology
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Brain - cytology
Brain - growth & development
Brain - physiology
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Cell Division - physiology
Cell Survival - physiology
Humans
Interneurons - physiology
Learning - physiology
Models, Neurological
Nerve Net - physiology
Neural Inhibition - physiology
Neural Networks (Computer)
Neural Pathways - physiology
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurons - physiology
Olfactory Bulb - growth & development
Olfactory Bulb - physiology
Signal Transduction - physiology
Smell - physiology
Stem Cells - physiology
Synaptic Transmission - physiology
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Summary:Adult neurogenesis has long been documented in the vertebrate brain and recently even in humans. Although it has been conjectured for many years that its functional role is related to the renewing of memories, no clear mechanism as to how this can be achieved has been proposed. Using the mammalian olfactory bulb as a paradigm, we present a scheme in which incorporation of new neurons proceeds at a constant rate, while their survival is activity-dependent and thus contingent on new neurons establishing suitable connections. We show that a simple mathematical model following these rules organizes its activity so as to maximize the difference between its responses and can adapt to changing environmental conditions in unsupervised fashion, in agreement with current neurophysiological data.
ISSN:0929-5313
1573-6873
DOI:10.1023/a:1012849801892