Publications by Friedemann Zenke

Specific synaptic input strengths determine the computational properties of excitation-inhibition integration in a sound localization circuit

Ralf Schneggenburger, Friedemann Zenke, Enida Gjoni, Brice Antoine Alexandre Bouhours

The lateral superior olive (LSO) is a binaural nucleus in the auditory brainstem in which excitation from the ipsilateral ear is integrated with inhibition from the contralateral ear. It is unknown whether the strength of the unitary inhibitory and excitat ...

WILEY2018

Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke

We review a body of theoretical and experimental research on Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, starting from a puzzling observation: while homeostasis of synapses found in experiments is a slow compensatory process, most mathematical models of synaptic p ...

Royal Soc2017

Synaptic consolidation: from synapses to behavioral modeling

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke, Lorric Ziegler, David Barak Kastner

Synaptic plasticity, a key process for memory formation, manifests itself across different time scales ranging from a few seconds for plasticity induction up to hours or even years for consolidation and memory retention. We developed a three-layered model ...

Society for Neuroscience2015

Diverse synaptic plasticity mechanisms orchestrated to form and retrieve memories in spiking neural networks

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke

Synaptic plasticity, the putative basis of learning and memory formation, manifests in various forms and across different timescales. Here we show that the interaction of Hebbian homosynaptic plasticity with rapid non-Hebbian heterosynaptic plasticity is, ...

Nature Publishing Group2015

Limits to high-speed simulations of spiking neural networks using general-purpose computers

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke

To understand how the central nervous system performs computations using recurrent neuronal circuitry, simulations have become an indispensable tool for theoretical neuroscience. To study neuronal circuits and their ability to self-organize, increasing att ...

Frontiers Research Foundation2014

Memory formation and recall in recurrent spiking neural networks

Friedemann Zenke

Our brain has the capacity to analyze a visual scene in a split second, to learn how to play an instrument, and to remember events, faces and concepts. Neurons underlie all of these diverse functions. Neurons, cells within the brain that generate and trans ...

EPFL2014

Inhibitory synaptic plasticity: spike timing-dependence and putative network function

Friedemann Zenke, Tim Vogels

While the plasticity of excitatory synaptic connections in the brain has been widely studied, the plasticity of inhibitory connections is much less understood. Here, we present recent experimental and theoretical findings concerning the rules of spike timi ...

Frontiers Research Foundation2013

Synaptic Plasticity in Neural Networks Needs Homeostasis with a Fast Rate Detector

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke, Guillaume Hennequin

Hebbian changes of excitatory synapses are driven by and further enhance correlations between pre- and postsynaptic activities. Hence, Hebbian plasticity forms a positive feedback loop that can lead to instability in simulated neural networks. To keep acti ...

Public Library of Science2013

Inference of neuronal network spike dynamics and topology from calcium imaging data

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke, Joao Emanuel Felipe Gerhard

Two-photon calcium imaging enables functional analysis of neuronal circuits by inferring action potential (AP) occurrence ("spike trains") from cellular fluorescence signals. It remains unclear how experimental parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR ...

Frontiers Research Foundation2013

Inhibitory Plasticity Balances Excitation and Inhibition in Sensory Pathways and Memory Networks

Wulfram Gerstner, Friedemann Zenke, Claudia Clopath, Tim Vogels

Cortical neurons receive balanced excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents. Such a balance could be established and maintained in an experience-dependent manner by synaptic plasticity at inhibitory synapses. We show that this mechanism provides an expla ...

American Association for the Advancement of Science2011