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The connections of neocortical pyramidal cells can implement the learning of new categories, attractor memory, and top–down recall and attention

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Rolls, Edmund T. (2021) The connections of neocortical pyramidal cells can implement the learning of new categories, attractor memory, and top–down recall and attention. Brain Structure and Function, 226 (8). pp. 2523-2536. doi:10.1007/s00429-021-02347-z

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02347-z

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Abstract

Neocortical pyramidal cells have three key classes of excitatory input: forward inputs from the previous cortical area (or thalamus); recurrent collateral synapses from nearby pyramidal cells; and backprojection inputs from the following cortical area. The neocortex performs three major types of computation: (1) unsupervised learning of new categories, by allocating neurons to respond to combinations of inputs from the preceding cortical stage, which can be performed using competitive learning; (2) short-term memory, which can be performed by an attractor network using the recurrent collaterals; and (3) recall of what has been learned by top–down backprojections from the following cortical area. There is only one type of excitatory neuron involved, pyramidal cells, with these three types of input. It is proposed, and tested by simulations of a neuronal network model, that pyramidal cells can implement all three types of learning simultaneously, and can subsequently usefully categorise the forward inputs; keep them active in short-term memory; and later recall the representations using the backprojection input. This provides a new approach to understanding how one type of excitatory neuron in the neocortex can implement these three major types of computation, and provides a conceptual advance in understanding how the cerebral neocortex may work.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Q Science > QP Physiology
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Computer Science
SWORD Depositor: Library Publications Router
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Neocortex, Cognitive neuroscience, Short-term memory, Memory
Journal or Publication Title: Brain Structure and Function
Publisher: Springer
ISSN: 1863-2661
Official Date: November 2021
Dates:
DateEvent
November 2021Published
4 August 2021Available
19 July 2021Accepted
Volume: 226
Number: 8
Page Range: pp. 2523-2536
DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02347-z
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access

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