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Related Concept Videos

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording
13:40

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording

Published on: September 8, 2011

The criticality hypothesis: how local cortical networks might optimize information processing.

John M Beggs1

  • 1Department of Physics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. jmbeggs@indiana.edu

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences
|August 4, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Cortical neuron networks may operate at the

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording
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Published on: September 8, 2011

Time-dependent Increase in the Network Response to the Stimulation of Neuronal Cell Cultures on Micro-electrode Arrays
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Complex Systems

Background:

  • Theoretical work suggests optimal adaptability and computation occur at the 'edge of chaos'.
  • This hypothesis posits systems near a critical point in phase transitions between order and randomness.
  • Experimental evidence supporting this 'criticality hypothesis' in biological systems has been limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent experimental findings on cortical neuron networks.
  • To assess if these networks operate near a critical point.
  • To explore the implications of criticality for information processing in the brain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental studies on cortical neuron networks.
  • Analysis of simulation models capturing experimental data.
  • Theoretical exploration of criticality in neural systems.

Main Results:

  • Recent experiments indicate cortical neuron networks function near a critical point.
  • Simulation studies successfully replicate key features of experimental data.
  • These findings suggest criticality may optimize information processing in neural networks.

Conclusions:

  • Cortical networks appear to operate at the 'edge of chaos'.
  • Criticality may be a fundamental principle for efficient neural information processing.
  • Further experimental tests are proposed to validate the criticality hypothesis.