Topographic organization of Hebbian neural connections by synchronous waveactivity

Experimental studies have revealed that the refinement of early, imprecise connections in the developing visual system involves activity in the retina before the onset of vision. We study the evolution of initially random uni directional connections between two excitable layers of FitzHugh-Nagumo neu rons with simulated spontaneous activity in the input layer. Lateral coupli ng within the layers yields synchronous neural wave activity that serves as a template for the Hebbian learning process, which establishes topographic ally precise interlayer connections. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics .