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The importance of being hierarchical
Nikola T Markov1, Henry Kennedy
1Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, INSERM U846, 18 Avenue Doyen Lepine, 69500 Bron, France.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|January 24, 2013
Summary
Cortical processing involves bidirectional counter-streams, not single pathways, in each brain compartment. Understanding these feedforward and feedback connections requires detailed anatomy and network analysis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- Advances in single-cell electrophysiology and anatomy have illuminated connections between cortical areas.
- This knowledge enabled the development of the cortical hierarchy model in the 1990s.
- The cortical hierarchy is foundational for current generative models of perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional roles of feedforward (FF) and feedback (FB) pathways in cortical processing.
- To examine the segregation and topographical precision of FF and FB connections.
- To propose a revised model of cortical information flow.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cortical electrophysiology and anatomy.
- Analysis of computational hierarchical models of perception.
- Theoretical modeling of information flow within cortical networks.
Main Results:
- Computational models predict distinct roles for FF and FB pathways.
- Evidence suggests segregation and topographical precision in both FF and FB connections.
- Cortical processing involves bidirectional counter-streams within each compartment, challenging the single-stream model.
Conclusions:
- Cortical information flow is characterized by bidirectional counter-streams, not unidirectional pathways.
- A deeper understanding necessitates integrated approaches combining detailed anatomical data with network analysis.
- Future research should focus on mapping the directed and weighted cortical matrix for comprehensive insights.
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