Modeling Neuromorphic Persistent Firing Networks

Abstract

Neurons are believed to be the brain computational engines of the brain. A recent discovery in neurophysiology reveals that interneurons can slowly integrate spiking, share the output across a coupled network of axons and respond with persistent firing even in the absence of input to the soma or dendrites, which has not been understood and could be very important for exploring the mechanism of human cognition. The conventional models are incapable of simulating the important newly-discovered phenomenon of persistent firing induced by axonal slow integration. In this paper, we propose a computationally efficient model of neurons through modeling the axon as a slow leaky integrator, which captures almost all-known neural behaviors. The model controls the switching of axonal firing dynamics between passive conduction mode and persistent firing mode. The interplay between the axonal integrated potential and its multiple thresholds in axon precisely determines the persistent firing dynamics of neurons. We also present a persistent firing polychronous spiking network which exhibits asynchronous dynamics indicating that this computationally efficient model is not only bio-plausible, but also suitable for large scale spiking network simulations. The implications of this network and the analog circuit design for exploring the relationship between working memory and persistent firing enable developing a spiking network-based memory and bio-inspired computer systems.