A model of the IT-PF network in object working memory which includes balanced persistent activity and tuned inhibition

The properties of cells in the prefrontal cortex and inferotemporal cortex recorded in monkeys performing delayed matching-to-sample tasks with interv ening visual stimuli and memory guided attention tasks are reproduced by me ans of a model in which two networks of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons re presenting the two cortical areas interact reciprocally. Each of the networ ks is organized in micro-columns (M-Cs) which leads naturally to a dynamic balance between excitation and inhibition within each M-C so that realistic cortical spiking statistics (low firing rates with higher or equal to one CVs) are obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.