We describe a form of memory exhibited by extended excitable systems driven by stochastic fluctuations. Under such conditions, the system self-organizes into a state characterized by power-law correlations thus retaining long-term memory of previous states. The exponents are robust and model-independent. We discuss novel implications of these results for the functioning of cortical neurons as well as for networks of neurons.
@article{arxiv.adap-org/9905003,
title = {Noise-induced memory in extended excitable systems},
author = {Dante R. Chialvo and Guillermo A. Cecchi and Marcelo O. Magnasco},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:adap-org/9905003},
year = {2009}
}