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| Research article summary (published 27 Feb 2002): |
The cell assembly, Mark III: transitions between brain states and the localization and generalization of function.
Full Abstract
A connectionist model of the cerebral cortex as a Markov chain is presented. The model reconciles localization of cortical functions, apparent in neuropsychological data, with the equipotentiality and diffusion of function that was noted in classical studies of learning. In addition, the model suggests that the specificity of some cortical activity can develop quickly from initial connections that are predominantly chaotic. It is not necessary to assume a high degree of "prewired" connections in the cortex of newborns. While the model does not require initial settings to be chaotic, neither does it require initial ordering stronger than chaos. Specifically, a large and initially randomly connected network of neurons rapidly develops several ergodically distinct subnetworks that operate independently. While the ergodic units operate independently and distinctly, they exhibit the property of equipotentially in that the specific events caused by an initial event are equally likely to be at any point in the ergodic set after very few synaptic events.
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Author information
Author/s: Jacobson, Zachary (Z); Pullman, Norman J (NJ); Treurniet, William (W);
Affiliation: Health Canada, Carleton University, Psychology Department, Cognitive Science Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. zack_jacobson(-atsign-)hc.gc.ca
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal: The International journal of neuroscience (Int J Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Mar; vol 112 (issue 3) : pp 277-90
Dates: Created 2002/08/21; Completed 2002/09/09; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12187779, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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