Inhibition enhances memory capacity: optimal feedback, transient replay and oscillations
Recurring sequences of neuronal activation in the hippocampus are a candidate for a neurophysiological correlate of episodic memory. Here, we discuss a mean-field theory for such spike sequences in phase space and show how they become unstable when the neuronal network operates at maximum memory capacity. We find that inhibitory feedback rescues replay of the sequences, giving rise to oscillations and thereby enhancing the networks capacity. We further argue that transient sequences in an overloaded network with feedback inhibition may provide a mechanistic picture of memory-related neuronal activity during hippocampal sharp-wave ripple complexes.
inhibition memory capacity oscillations sharp-wave ripples associative memory sequence memory sequence replay neuronal network dynamics learning and plasticity