Synfire Chain Dynamics Unravelling Theta-nested Gamma Oscillations for Balancing Prediction and Dodge in Navigation

Abstract

AbstractTheta-nested gamma oscillations, widely observed in experiments, play a crucial role in navigation, yet their functional roles and the origin of the positive correlation between theta frequency and motion velocity remain unclear. We propose that the object’s survival relies on both prediction and dodge – predicting future events and staying alert to unpredictable ones, the latter of which has seldom been considered in goal-navigation tasks. By building a biologically plausible spiking neuronal network model and reproducing experimental results, we leverage synfire chain properties – length and separation – to elucidate the functional roles of theta-nested gamma oscillations: theta oscillations for self-location awareness, gamma oscillations for predictive capabilities and their coupling for enhancing functionality. The positive correlation between theta frequency and motion velocity is demonstrated to optimally balance representing predictable events for planning and staying alert to unexpected events. Our study offers a new avenue for unravelling the neural mechanisms of navigation.