arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 22

Improving the adaptive and continuous learning capabilities of artificial neural networks: Lessons from multi-neuromodulatory dynamics

The paper investigates how multi‑neuromodulatory dynamics—driven by dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and noradrenaline—can improve artificial neural networks’ continuous adaptive learning and mitigate catastrophic forgetting. It demonstrates that neuromodulators interact across multiple spatial and temporal scales, creating a complex many‑to‑many mapping between neuromodulators and tasks. The authors propose neuromodulation‑aware learning rules, architectural formulations, and a conceptual Go/No‑Go study to illustrate how biologically inspired mechanisms can enhance ANN robustness and adaptability.

By Jie Mei, Alejandro Rodriguez-Garcia, Daigo Takeuchi, Gabriel Wainstein, Nina Hubig, Yalda Mohsenzadeh, Srikanth Ramaswamy