Matthias Munk

The neuronal processes responsible for cognitive functions like perception, recognition and working memory organize in a highly dynamical way, because content and context change from moment to moment. Neuronal representations of objects in temporal and prefrontal cortex are therefore state-dependent and are constantly adapted by learning processes. Large distributed representations of objects need to be coordinated by modulatory signals which are able to establish transient relations among subsets of representations and trigger their consolidation if these relations have proven useful. In this process, neuromodulators like acetylcholine or dopamine do not only modulate brain states, but also regulate synaptic plasticity. Oscillations are an interesting candidate signal for modulatory signals, first, because phase relations of separate oscillators can segregate or integrate distributed neuronal ensembles and, second, oscillations can control the number of precise coincidences between pre- and postsynaptic cells to drive plasticity. It is one of the major challenges for the next years to manipulate neuronal signals such that we can establish causal relations between the dynamics of representations and behaviour rather than describe correlations.

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