Short-term plasticity-based working memory spiking model is resilient to synaptic heterogeneity

The presence of activity-silent working memory has been increasingly supported by experimental observation, and short-term synaptic facilitation is suggested to underlie this phenomenon. Originally proposed in the early 2000s, the synaptic theory of working memory was supported by a relatively simple, yet powerful, computational model. Recent advancements in simulation technology eased the introduction of heterogeneity in spiking models, which is a crucial factor in enhancing their dynamical richness and biological plausibility. However, introducing such heterogeneity often disrupts previously observed network dynamics. This work investigates the impact of synaptic heterogeneity in a spiking model of working memory sustained by short-term synaptic facilitation, observing that the model is resilient to additional variability.