Regulated Criticality in the Brain

Title: Regulated Criticality in the Brain

Abstract: This research explores the idea that the human brain operates near a critical state, a condition where the brain is highly sensitive to changes and initial conditions. The study suggests that this criticality could be regulated by a specific form of Hebbian covariance plasticity, a mechanism that adjusts the strength of neural connections based on their activity. This regulation could bring the brain close to a critical point, allowing it to adapt to changes in brain connectivity throughout life.

Main Research Question: How does the brain regulate its sensitivity to changes and initial conditions by operating near a critical state?

Methodology: The study uses a computational model of a neural network with excitatory and inhibitory neurons, and uniform connectivity within and across the two populations. The model incorporates a specific form of Hebbian covariance plasticity, which adjusts the strength of neural connections based on their activity.

Results: The study finds that under broad conditions, the system converges to a critical state lying at the common boundary of three regions in parameter space. These regions correspond to three modes of behavior: high activity, low activity, and oscillation.

Implications: This research suggests that the brain's ability to adapt to changes and initial conditions could be due to its operation near a critical state, which is regulated by a specific form of Hebbian covariance plasticity. This finding could have significant implications for our understanding of brain function and dysfunction, as well as for the development of new treatments for neurological disorders.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0202034v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0202034v1