New learning principles emerge from biomimetic computational primitives

Abstract

Although computational models have deepened our understanding of neuroscience, it is still highly challenging to link actual low-level physiological activity (spiking, field potentials) and biochemistry (transmitters and receptors) with high-level cognitive abilities (decision-making, working memory) nor with corresponding disorders. We introduce an anatomically-organized multi-scale model directly generating simulated physiology from which extended neural and cognitive phenomena emerge. The model produces spiking, fields, phase synchronies, and synaptic change, directly generating working memory, decisions, and categorization, all of which were then validated on extensive experimental macaque data from which the model received zero prior training of any kind. Moreover, the simulation uncovered a previously unknown neural code specifically predicting upcoming erroneous ("incongruous") behaviors, also subsequently confirmed in empirical data. The biomimetic model thus directly and predictively links novel decision and reinforcement signals, of computational interest, with novel spiking and field codes, of potential behavioral and clinical relevance.