A general mechanism for tuning: Gain control circuits and synapses underlie tuning of cortical neurons

Abstract Tuning toanoptimal stimulus is a widespreadpropertyof neurons incortex. We propose that suchtuningis a consequence of normalization or gain control circuits. We also present a biologically plausible neuralcircuitry of tuning. Copyright c Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004This report describes research done at the Center for Biological & Computational Learning, which is in the McGovern Institutefor Brain Research at MIT, as well as in the Dept. of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, and which is affiliated with the ComputerSciences & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).This research was sponsored by grants from: Office of Naval Research (DARPA) Contract No. MDA972-04-1-0037, Office ofNaval Research (DARPA) Contract No. N00014-02-1-0915, National Science Foundation (ITR/IM) Contract No. IIS-0085836,National Science Foundation (ITR/SYS) Contract No. IIS-0112991, National Science Foundation (ITR) Contract No. IIS-0209289,National Science Foundation-NIH (CRCNS) Contract No. EIA-0218693, National Science Foundation-NIH (CRCNS) ContractNo. EIA-0218506, and National Institutes of Health (Conte) Contract No. 1 P20 MH66239-01A1.Additional support was provided by: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Center for e-Business (MIT),Daimler-Chrysler AG, Compaq/Digital Equipment Corporation, Eastman Kodak Company, Honda R&D Co., Ltd., ITRI, Ko-matsuLtd.,EugeneMcDermottFoundation,Merrill-Lynch,MitsubishiCorporation,NECFund,NipponTelegraph&Telephone,Oxygen, Siemens Corporate Research, Inc., Sony MOU, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Toyota Motor Corporation, and WatchVi-sion Co., Ltd.

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