The synchronous oscillatory activity characterizing many neurons in a network is often considered to be a mechanism for representing, binding, conveying, and organizing information. A number of models have been proposed to explain high-frequency oscillations, but the mechanisms that underlie slow oscillations are still unclear. Here, we show by means of analytical solutions and simulations that facilitating excitatory (E(f)) synapses onto interneurons in a neural network play a fundamental role, not only in shaping the frequency of slow oscillations, but also in determining the form of the up and down states observed in electrophysiological measurements. Short time constants and strong E(f) synapse-connectivity were found to induce rapid alternations between up and down states, whereas long time constants and weak E(f) synapse connectivity prolonged the time between up states and increased the up state duration. These results suggest a novel role for facilitating excitatory synapses onto interneurons in controlling the form and frequency of slow oscillations in neuronal circuits.

中文翻译：

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具有促进突触的神经网络中的缓慢振荡。

表征网络中许多神经元的同步振荡活动通常被认为是一种表示、绑定、传达和组织信息的机制。已经提出了许多模型来解释高频振荡，但构成慢振荡的机制仍不清楚。在这里，我们通过分析解决方案和模拟表明，促进兴奋性 (E(f)) 突触到神经网络中的中间神经元上发挥着重要作用，不仅在塑造慢振荡的频率方面，而且在确定在电生理测量中观察到的上升和下降状态。发现短时间常数和强 E(f) 突触连接会引起上下状态之间的快速交替，而长的时间常数和弱的 E(f) 突触连接延长了 up 状态之间的时间并增加了 up 状态的持续时间。这些结果表明在控制神经元回路中慢振荡的形式和频率方面促进兴奋性突触到中间神经元上的新作用。