Efficient coding principles can be extended to account for the role of neuromodulators in shaping cortical dynamics and information processing by considering how neuromodulators influence the parameters and dynamics of the network. Neuromodulators, such as dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin, play a crucial role in regulating synaptic plasticity, neuronal excitability, and network connectivity. These neuromodulatory systems can modulate the gain of neural responses, alter the balance between excitation and inhibition, and regulate the flexibility of neural circuits in response to changing environmental demands.
In the context of efficient coding, neuromodulators can adjust the balance between encoding accuracy and metabolic cost based on the current behavioral context or motivational state. For example, dopamine release in response to reward signals can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in neural responses, leading to more precise encoding of rewarding stimuli. Acetylcholine, on the other hand, can enhance attention and sensory processing by modulating the dynamics of cortical circuits, potentially improving the efficiency of information processing.
Furthermore, neuromodulators can influence the plasticity of synaptic connections, affecting the structure and strength of recurrent connectivity in the network. By incorporating the effects of neuromodulators into the efficient coding framework, we can better understand how cortical dynamics are dynamically regulated to optimize information processing under different conditions and states.