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Published on: June 13, 2017
Cortical and subcortical predictive dynamics and learning during perception, cognition, emotion and action
1Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems, Center for Adaptive Systems, Center of Excellence for Learning in Education, Science and Technology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA. steve@cns.bu.edu
Summary
The brain uses complementary predictive mechanisms for learning and action. This paper unifies theories on how predictive processing in the brain enables recognition, planning, and decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- The brain's predictive and learning processes are intricately linked.
- Perceptual/cognitive and spatial/motor functions rely on predictive mechanisms.
- Understanding these mechanisms is key to understanding brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize data and models of predictive brain processing.
- To outline a unified theory of predictive brain processing.
- To clarify the interaction of predictive mechanisms in the brain.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing neural models and data.
- Synthesis of findings from perceptual/cognitive and spatial/motor domains.
- Development of a unified theoretical framework.
Main Results:
- Identified complementary predictive mechanisms in perception and action.
- Clarified the interaction of these mechanisms in cortical and subcortical regions.
- Proposed a unified theory integrating these processes.
Conclusions:
- A unified theory of predictive brain processing offers a comprehensive framework.
- Predictive mechanisms are fundamental to learning, recognition, attention, planning, and action.
- This framework advances our understanding of brain function.
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