In search of common foundations for cortical computation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The brain utilizes diverse coding, processing, and learning strategies across cortical regions and cognitive functions.
• Understanding common mechanisms underlying these processes is crucial for advancing neuroscience.
• Local cortical processors are hypothesized to coordinate activity for efficient information transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a common mechanism for coordination among local cortical processors.
• To differentiate the roles of contextual field (CF) connections from receptive field (RF) input.
• To explore how CF connections influence learning and processing within and between cortical regions.

Main Methods:

• Simulations of neural networks with both RF and CF connections.
• Analysis of information transmission and coordination strategies.
• Review of physiological evidence for synchronization and connection plasticity.

Main Results:

• CF connections enable processors to coordinate activity by maximizing contextually relevant information transmission, forming synchronized population codes.
• CF connections can guide learning and processing distinctly from RF input.
• Simulations demonstrate the capabilities of networks incorporating both RF and CF connections.

Conclusions:

• Cortical computation involves flexible evaluation of input signals by adaptive, locally specialized processors.
• Dynamic association and coordination within and between regions are facilitated by specialized CF connections.
• CF-mediated coordination is linked to various perceptual and cognitive phenomena, including perceptual grouping and context effects.