Interneurons: their cognitive roles - A perspective from dynamical systems view

Interneurons may function as coordinator of cortical dynamics, as "super networks" driven by top down signals. Dynamical systems-theoretic view on cortical dynamics and its hypothetical cognitive roles are discussed. In particular, we discuss three related issues concerning the cognitive role of inhibitory interneurons in the neocortex. 1) Theoretical possibility of emergence of transient synchrony in chaotic itinerant dynamics in gap junction-coupled interneuron networks; 2) Dynamical systems-theoretic, and nonclassical memory view based on the concept of Milnor attractor; and 3) A new hypothesis on functional role of activity-dependent depolarizing action of GABA_A in inhibitory interneurons