Estimation of oscillation frequency in coupled cell assemblies

A macroscopic model of cell assemblies is used to analyze the ensemble behavior of coupled sub-populations of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. For such systems, rhythmic behavior can occur even in the absence of weight change dynamics. Conditions that give rise to such oscillatory behavior through the interaction of two neural groups are identified. Using Fourier series analysis, the authors obtain approximate expressions for the frequency of oscillations of the average input and output activities, and quantitatively relate them to other network parameters. Stochastic computer simulations show these frequency estimations to be quite accurate