Figure 3.

Temporal structure of spikes. Spike timing of PCs is constrained by FS inhibitory interneurons. These cells set the timing and rate of action potentials produced by PCs limiting the temporal window during which they can be generated (Pouille and Scanziani, 2001). Moreover, PCs cannot discharge when they are shunted by strong inhibition. Consequently, the synchronized spiking of the inhibitory network creates temporal order among the PCs firing, generating precise silent periods that we have called “Silent Gaps” during which action potentials cannot be generated (vertical columns in purple). Rhythmic inhibition of the interneuron network provides alternating periods of spiking and no spiking in the Ensemble of PCs constraining these spikes into discrete periods generating a scaffold that we have called “Temporal Structure of Spikes”. Rows represent hypothetical spike rasters for an Ensemble of four PCs. Spikes from these PCs occur independently but organized inside that temporal structure (top). These cycles would result in the oscillations observed in the brain (bottom left). The temporal structure can be dynamically adjusted to meet the finest processing resolution depending on perceptual, task or attentional demands (bottom right).