A mean-field model of gamma-frequency oscillations in networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons

Gamma oscillations are widely seen in the cerebral cortex in different states of the wake-sleep cycle and are thought to play a role in sensory processing and cognition. Here, we study the emergence of gamma oscillations at two levels, in networks of spiking neurons, and a mean-field model. At the network level, we consider two different mechanisms to generate gamma oscillations and show that they are best seen if one takes into account the synaptic delay between neurons. At the mean-field level, we show that, by introducing delays, the mean-field can also produce gamma oscillations. The mean-field matches the mean activity of excitatory and inhibitory populations of the spiking network, as well as their oscillation frequencies, for both mechanisms. This mean-field model of gamma oscillations should be a useful tool to investigate large-scale interactions through gamma oscillations in the brain.