Synaptic depression enlarges basin of attraction

Neurophysiological experiments show that synaptic depression controls a gain for presynaptic inputs. However, the functional roles of this gain control remain unknown. We propose that one of the functional roles is to enlarge basins of attraction. To verify this, we employ an associative memory model. An activity control is requisite for the stable retrieval of sparse patterns. We investigate a storage capacity and the basins of attraction. Consequently, the basins of attraction are enlarged while the storage capacity does not change. Thus, the synaptic depression might incorporate the activity control mechanism.