2006, Vol.9, No.3, pp.298-312
In a computational study we show that robust long-term changes of
synaptic connectivity can be achieved even by short-term weak
desynchronizing stimuli. For this, we consider a mathematical
model for a population of bursting neurons subject to synaptic
plasticity with symmetric spike timing characteristics. In our
neuronal population, which models a standard target for deep brain
stimulation, synchronized states (modelling disease states) as
well as a desynchronized state (modelling a healthy state) are
stable. Intriguingly, even short-term, weak desynchronizing
stimuli, i.e.~desynchronizing stimuli which are not able to cause
a desynchronization during stimulation, may induce a robust
unlearning of the mean synaptic weight, a so-called anti-kindling.
Therapeutically rewiring stimuli of that kind shift the population
into the basin of attraction of the stable desynchronized state.
Accordingly, after stimulus offset the population spontaneously
relaxes into the desired desynchronized state, where it remains if
left unperturbed. At stimulus offset, we observe a transient
rebound of synchrony. Our results might contribute to a novel
therapeutic stimulation strategy for the therapy of neurological
and psychiatric diseases characterized by abnormal synchrony.
Key words:
desynchronization, multistability, control, brain
stimulation, synaptic plasticity, therapeutic rewiring
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