Controlling spatio-temporal sequences of neural activity by local synaptic changes

The neural basis of behavior is believed to consist of sequential patterns of neural activity in the relevant brain regions. Behavioral flexibility also requires neural circuit mechanisms that support dynamic control of sequential activity. However, mechanisms to control and reconfigure sequential activity have received little attention.

Here, we show that recurrently connected networks with heterogeneous connectivity and a smooth spatial in-degree landscape (which may arise due to asymmetric neuron morphologies) provide a robust mechanism to evoke and control sequential activity. By modulating the synaptic strength of only a few neurons in local neighborhoods, we uncovered high-impact locations which can start, stop, extend, gate, and redirect sequences. Interestingly, high-impact locations coincide with mid in-degree regions. We demonstrate that these motifs can flexibly reconfigure sequential activity, and hence, provide a framework for fast and flexible computations on behavioral time scales, while the individual parts of the pathways remain rigid and reliable.