Abstract
The concept of connectionism states that higher cognitive functions emerge from the interaction of many simple elements. Accordingly, research on canonical microcircuits conceptualizes findings on fundamental neuroanatomical circuits as well as recurrent organizational principles of the cerebral cortex and examines the link between architectures and their associated functionality. In this study, we establish minimal canonical microcircuit models as elements of hierarchical processing networks. Based on a combination of descriptive time simulations and explanatory state-space mappings, we show that minimal canonical microcircuits effectively segregate feedforward and feedback information flows and that feedback information conditions basic processing operations in minimal canonical microcircuits. Further, we derive and examine two prototypical meta-circuits of cooperating minimal canonical microcircuits for the neurocognitive problems of priming and structure building. Through the application of these findings to a language network of syntax parsing, this study embodies neurocognitive research on hierarchical communication in light of canonical microcircuits, cell assembly theory, and predictive coding.
Highlights
Connectionism states that higher cognitive functions emerge from the constructive interaction of a large number of relatively simple and uniform fundamental units
In Kunze et al (2017), we defined a minimal canonical microcircuit as a system of interacting excitatory and inhibitory neural populations whose structural topology reflects the homogeneity of neocortical matter and whose functional repertoire features the basic operations of signal flow gating and working memory
We show how the identified facilitative feedback signal gives rise to higher information processing, namely priming and structure building, in prototypical meta-circuits of two cooperating minimal canonical microcircuit (mCMC)
Summary
Connectionism states that higher cognitive functions emerge from the constructive interaction of a large number of relatively simple and uniform fundamental units. The concept of canonical microcircuits (Douglas and Martin 1991, 2007; Douglas et al 1989) postulates the existence of such fundamental units in the neocortex, which can be effectively described by a common basic circuitry. This idealized local architecture is supposed to give rise to a limited set of stereotypic functions Here we investigate how structure building and priming emerge from the hierarchical interaction of mCMCs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
