Attentional Cholinergic Projections May Induce Transitions of Attractor Landscape via Presynaptic Modulations of Connectivity

Abstract

There is evidence of presynaptic modulation of inhibitions on pyramidal neurons in cortical layers 2/3, mediated by muscarinic M2-receptors activated by transient releases of the corticopetal acetylcholine associated with top-down attention. Little is known, however, regarding its system-level consequences and possible implications for cognitive functions. It is possible that, through a temporal modulation of connectivity between neurons, memory traces or the attractor landscape in the cortex might be significantly affected. We present a hypothetical argument on attractor ruins and temporal reconstructions of attractors by top-down attention. In this paper, we discuss the mathematical validity of this scenario with a computer study using a phase neuron model.