Position Paper: Neurotransmitters as a Missing Dimension in Artificial Neural Networks

Abstract

Artificial neural networks (ANNs), as core components of modern deep learning (DL) systems, lack the adaptive flexibility and long-term stability exhibited by biological systems. This limitation largely stems from the fact that conventional ANNs rely on uniform, local, and gradient-based parameter updates, while neglecting internal learning principles that are biological mechanisms such as neurotransmitters signalling or neuroplasticity. Consequently, many existing approaches focus on architectural expansion or mathematical fine-tuning techniques such as regularisation or parameter isolation. Inspired by the superior adaptability and plasticity of mammalian brains, we posit that neuromodulation with neurotransmitters constitutes a third axis of learning, complementary to neural activity and synaptic plasticity, and should be explicitly modelled in artificial neural networks. In this positional paper, we argue that incorporating neuromodulatory principles into ANN design represents a promising and underexplored research direction, and we advocate for greater attention to this perspective in the development of adaptive and continual learning systems.