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SUMMARY:Optimal compensation for neuron death - David Barrett (ENS Paris)
DTSTART:20130524T083000Z
DTEND:20130524T093000Z
UID:TALK45512@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. Cristina Savin
DESCRIPTION:One of the most impressive properties of the brain is its abil
 ity to sustain enormous amounts of damage while preserving neural function
 \, as observed in many brain diseases and experimental manipulations. How 
 does the brain compensate for damage\, and what is the limit of this compe
 nsation?\n\nWe propose that the brain compensates optimally for neuron dea
 th. This preserves neural function to the greatest possible extent. We sho
 w\nthat optimal compensation occurs in a variety of systems\, including th
 e occulomotor system\, the cricket cercal system and the visual cortex. Th
 e mechanism underlying this compensation is balanced network dynamics\; ne
 uron death momentarily disrupts the balance of excitation and inhibition\,
  but network dynamics automatically and rapidly recovers this balance\, th
 ereby restoring function. The limits of compensation depend on the nature 
 of the disruption\; once all the neurons that represent a particular signa
 l dimension are silenced\, rapid compensation for those signals becomes im
 possible. More generally\, we propose optimal compensation as a computatio
 nal principle\; without it\, optimal neural function will steadily degener
 ate as the typical wear and tear of a lifetime accumulates.
LOCATION:Cambridge University Engineering Department\, CBL Rm #438 (http:/
 /learning.eng.cam.ac.uk/Public/Directions)
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