Associating spontaneous with evoked activity in a neural mass model of visual cortex

► A network of neural masses models the orientation sensitivity of visual cortex. ► Transitions between orientation states are due to a stable heteroclinic channel. ► The predictions match closely measurements of spontaneous and evoked activity. ► The model suggests that spontaneous activity acts as internal dynamical reservoir. ► Hebbian learning then establishes specific associations to external orientations.