Click on the image to see a PDF version (for zooming in)

Fig. 12.4. Binding and segmentation with different connection types. A network of 90 neurons was divided into two groups and simulated for 500 iterations. Neurons [1..22] and [45..66] formed the first group (E1) and neurons [23..44] and [67..90] the second group (E2). All neurons in each group had the same lateral connections, shown at right. Excitatory lateral connections only linked neurons within the same group (E1 or E2), and inhibitory connections were global. (a) With both excitatory and inhibitory connections, the neurons within the same group are synchronized, while those in different groups are desynchronized. (b) With excitatory connections only, the neurons cannot desynchronize. (c) With inhibitory connections only, no coherently synchronized groups emerge. (d) When there are no lateral connections, neurons spike in different phases determined by their initial state. Both types of connections are therefore needed to establish simultaneous binding and segmentation.