The dynamics of recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and particularly their response to inputs, play a critical role in information processing. In many applications of RNNs, only a specific subset of the neurons generally receive inputs. However, it remains to be theoretically clarified how the restriction of the input to a specific subset of neurons affects the network dynamics. Considering RNNs with such restricted input, we investigate how the proportion, $p$, of the neurons receiving inputs (the “input neurons”) and the strength of the input signals affect the dynamics by analytically deriving the conditional maximum Lyapunov exponent. Our results show that for sufficiently large $p$, the maximum Lyapunov exponent decreases monotonically as a function of the input strength, indicating the suppression of chaos, but if $p$ is smaller than a critical threshold, $p_c$, even significantly amplified inputs cannot suppress spontaneous chaotic dynamics. Furthermore, although the value of $p_c$ is seemingly dependent on several model parameters, such as the sparseness and strength of recurrent connections, it is proved to be intrinsically determined solely by the strength of chaos in spontaneous activity of the RNN. This is to say, despite changes in these model parameters, it is possible to represent the value of $p_c$ as a common invariant function by appropriately scaling these parameters to yield the same strength of spontaneous chaos. Our study suggests that if $p$ is above $p_c$, we can bring the neural network to the edge of chaos, thereby maximizing its information processing capacity, by amplifying inputs.

• Received 9 June 2023
• Accepted 24 January 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.013172

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society