| Description: |
pp_pop_psc_delta is an effective model of a population of neurons. The
N component neurons are assumed to be spike response models with escape
noise, also known as generalized linear models. We follow closely the
nomenclature of [1]. The component neurons are a special case of
pp_psc_delta (with purely exponential rate function, no reset and no
random dead_time). All neurons in the population share the inputs that it
receives, and the output is the pooled spike train.
The instantaneous firing rate of the N component neurons is defined as
rate(t) = rho_0 * exp( (h(t) - eta(t))/delta_u ),
where h(t) is the input potential (synaptic delta currents convolved with
an exponential kernel with time constant tau_m), eta(t) models the effect
of refractoriness and adaptation (the neuron's own spike train convolved with
a sum of exponential kernels with time constants taus_eta), and delta_u
sets the scale of the voltages.
To represent a (homogeneous) population of N inhomogeneous renewal process
neurons, we can keep track of the numbers of neurons that fired a certain number
of time steps in the past. These neurons will have the same value of the
hazard function (instantaneous rate), and we draw a binomial random number
for each of these groups. This algorithm is thus very similar to
ppd_sup_generator and gamma_sup_generator, see also [2].
However, the adapting threshold eta(t) of the neurons generally makes the neurons
non-renewal processes. We employ the quasi-renewal approximation
[1],.to be able to use the above algorithm. For the extension of [1] to
coupled populations see [3].
In effect, in each simulation time step, a binomial random number for each
of the groups of neurons has to be drawn, independent of the number of
represented neurons. For large N, it should be much more efficient than
simulating N individual pp_psc_delta models.
pp_pop_psc_delta emits spike events like other neuron models, but no more
than one per time step. If several component neurons spike in the time step,
the multiplicity of the spike event is set accordingly. Thus, to monitor
its output, the mulitplicity of the spike events has to be taken into account.
Alternatively, the internal variable n_events gives the number of spikes
emitted in a time step, and can be monitored using a multimeter.
A journal article that describes the model and algorithm in detail is
currently in preparation.
|
| References: |
[1] Naud R, Gerstner W (2012) Coding and decoding with adapting neurons:
a population approach to the peri-stimulus time histogram.
PLoS Comput Biol 8: e1002711.
[2] Deger M, Helias M, Boucsein C, Rotter S (2012) Statistical properties
of superimposed stationary spike trains. Journal of Computational
Neuroscience 32:3, 443-463.
[3] Deger M, Schwalger T, Naud R, Gerstner W (2013) Dynamics of interacting
finite-sized networks of spiking neurons with adaptation. arXiv 1311.4206.
|