Table of Contents

Optimal Inhibitory-to-Excitatory Ratio Governs Slow and Fast Oscillations for Enhanced Neural Communication

  1. Soon-Hyung Yook3
  1. 1Computational Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
  2. 2Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
  3. 3Department of Physics and Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Kyung Hee University 02447, Seoul, Korea
  4. 4Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
  5. 5Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
  6. 6Center for Neuroscience-inspired AI, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
  7. 7Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), CNRS, Strasbourg 67000, France
  8. 8Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), INSERM, Marseille 13005, France
  9. 9University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Studies (USIAS), Strasbourg 67000, France
  10. 10Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
  1. Author contributions: J.Y.K. designed research; J.Y.K. performed research; J.Y.K. and S.-H.Y. analyzed data; J.Y.K. wrote the first draft of the paper; J.Y.K., S.W.L., D.B., J.H.C., and S.-H.Y. edited the paper; J.Y.K., D.B., and J.H.C. wrote the paper.

Abstract

Neural oscillations at distinct frequency bands facilitate communication within and between neural populations. While single-frequency oscillations are well-characterized, the simultaneous emergence of slow (beta) and fast (gamma) oscillations within the same network remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that multi-frequency oscillations naturally arise when the ratio of inhibitory-to-excitatory synaptic strength falls within a specific regime using a biologically plausible Izhikevich model. We show that this regime maximizes both information capacity and transmission efficiency, suggesting an optimal balance for neural communication. Deviations from this range lead to single-frequency oscillations and reduced communication efficiency, mirroring disruptions observed in neurological disorders. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how the brain leverages multiple oscillatory frequencies for efficient information processing and suggest a potential biomarker for impaired neural communication.

  • Received April 30, 2025.
  • Revision received October 21, 2025.
  • Accepted November 11, 2025.