Dynamical behavior of networks of active neurons

Common features of activity are seen in biological neural networks in different species and different neural structures, such as partially synchronized oscillations. More detailed distinct categories (or modes) of biological neural network activity may be identifiable by combining traditional techniques in analyzing dynamical systems with additional techniques that are particular to parameterizing biological neural networks. Once the basic dynamical modes present in biological networks are identified, physiological data on network and multi-network scales may be more easily classified and understood in relation to behavior. Some dynamical modes might be better suited to implementing spatial filters, such as might be expected in cortical area V1 of the visual system. Other dynamical modes might be suited to replaying or identifying spatio-temporal signals, such as in the auditory cortex. Other modes might be useful for storing and retrieving associative mnemonic representations, such as those that might be found in the hippocampus.