Based　on　the　theories　of　lateral　inhibition　and　artificial　neural　network　(ANN),　the　different　lateral　inhibitory　connections　among　the　hidden　neurons　of　SANN　are　studied.　With　the　connect　mode　of　activation-inhibition-activation,　the　SANN　will　obtain　a　higher　learning　accuracy　and　generalization　ability.　Furthermore,　this　inhibitory　connection　considers　both　the　activation　before　and　after　been　inhibited　by　surrounding　neurons.　The　effectiveness　of　this　inhibitory　mode　is　demonstrated　by　simulation　results.　©　2013　Springer-Verlag　Berlin　Heidelberg.