Loading...
Training a spiking neuronal network model of visual-motor cortex to play a virtual racket-ball game using reinforcement learning.
Journal Title
PloS one
Keywords
Readers/Advisors
Journal Title
Term and Year
Publication Date
2022-05-11
Book Title
Publication Volume
17
Publication Issue
5
Publication Begin
e0265808
Publication End
Number of pages
Collections
Files
Loading...
journal.pone.0265808.pdf
Adobe PDF, 6.07 MB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Recent models of spiking neuronal networks have been trained to perform behaviors in static environments using a variety of learning rules, with varying degrees of biological realism. Most of these models have not been tested in dynamic visual environments where models must make predictions on future states and adjust their behavior accordingly. The models using these learning rules are often treated as black boxes, with little analysis on circuit architectures and learning mechanisms supporting optimal performance. Here we developed visual/motor spiking neuronal network models and trained them to play a virtual racket-ball game using several reinforcement learning algorithms inspired by the dopaminergic reward system. We systematically investigated how different architectures and circuit-motifs (feed-forward, recurrent, feedback) contributed to learning and performance. We also developed a new biologically-inspired learning rule that significantly enhanced performance, while reducing training time. Our models included visual areas encoding game inputs and relaying the information to motor areas, which used this information to learn to move the racket to hit the ball. Neurons in the early visual area relayed information encoding object location and motion direction across the network. Neuronal association areas encoded spatial relationships between objects in the visual scene. Motor populations received inputs from visual and association areas representing the dorsal pathway. Two populations of motor neurons generated commands to move the racket up or down. Model-generated actions updated the environment and triggered reward or punishment signals that adjusted synaptic weights so that the models could learn which actions led to reward. Here we demonstrate that our biologically-plausible learning rules were effective in training spiking neuronal network models to solve problems in dynamic environments. We used our models to dissect the circuit architectures and learning rules most effective for learning. Our model shows that learning mechanisms involving different neural circuits produce similar performance in sensory-motor tasks. In biological networks, all learning mechanisms may complement one another, accelerating the learning capabilities of animals. Furthermore, this also highlights the resilience and redundancy in biological systems.
Citation
Anwar H, Caby S, Dura-Bernal S, D'Onofrio D, Hasegan D, Deible M, Grunblatt S, Chadderdon GL, Kerr CC, Lakatos P, Lytton WW, Hazan H, Neymotin SA. Training a spiking neuronal network model of visual-motor cortex to play a virtual racket-ball game using reinforcement learning. PLoS One. 2022 May 11;17(5):e0265808. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265808. PMID: 35544518; PMCID: PMC9094569.