The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is known to be critical for inhibitory control of behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we propose that inhibitory control can be instantiated by an integral signal derived from working memory, another key function of the PFC. Specifically, we assume that an integrator converts excitatory input into a graded mnemonic activity that provides an inhibitory signal (integral feedback control) to upstream afferent neurons. We demonstrate this scenario in a neuronal-network model for a temporal discrimination task... See paper for details and more.
Model Type: Realistic Network
Region(s) or Organism(s): Neocortex; Prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Model Concept(s): Pattern Recognition; Activity Patterns; Simplified Models; Working memory; Action Selection/Decision Making
Simulation Environment: XPPAUT; C or C++ program (web link to model)
Implementer(s): Miller, Paul [pmiller at brandeis.edu]
References:
Miller P, Wang XJ. (2006). Inhibitory control by an integral feedback signal in prefrontal cortex: a model of discrimination between sequential stimuli. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103 [PubMed]