Transcript Ch.02: 김태완
2. Neuronal Structure
and Function
Neuron
Apica Dendrites
Basal Dendrites
Myelin sheath
Preynaptic cells
Axon
Synapse
Postsynaptic cells
Pyramidal cell
Cortical Columns
From http://www.iscarecrow.com/wp-content/uploads/myrvel/myrvelcolumns.html
Unit of
Function
Dendritic Spines
Most synapses between
pyramidal cells are located on
spines.
Human cortex includes
neurons (85%, pyramidal
cell),
. synapses
Efficient integrator of different
postsynaptic signals.
Changing size and shape
over timescales of seconds
to minutes and of hours and
days: a remarkably dynamic
structure.
Brodmann’s Area
(4) Primary
motor cortex
Central sulcus
Sylvian fissure
(lateral sulcus)
(1-3) Primary
somatosensory
cortex
(17) Primary
visual cortex
(41) Primary
auditory cortex
Primary cortex – related to
language processing
Many relay neurons in
• Inferior frontal lobe
•
(44,45)
Superior temporal
lobe (22, 42)
between-modality
Associations
Homunculus
Topographically ordered projection are established early in life.
They can be altered by Brain injury or repeated exercises.
From http://faculty.etsu.edu/currie/images/homunculus1.JPG
Action Potential
From http://www.wikipedia.org
Principles
reflecting universal neuroanatomical and neurophysiological properties of the cortex
1.
2.
Afferent and efferent projections are ordered.
a. They reach, or insert from, primary areas.
b. Sensory and motor projections are organized topographically.
Intracortical connections permit mixing of afferent and efferent
information.
a. Adjacent neurons are heavily connected and form local clusters.
b. Primary area tend not to be linked directly, but through relay area.
c.
Adjacent areas are connected with high probability.
d. There is a lower but still good chance for connections between areas farther
apart(15~30%).
Homotopic areas of the two hemispheres tend to be connected.
Connections between areas tend to be reciprocal.
3.
e.
f.
Synaptic connections between neurons are modified depending on their
activity. (correlation learning, between modality)
a. Neurons that fire together strengthen their mutual connections.
b. Neurons that fire independently of each other weaken their connections.
Functional Webs
I.
II.
III.
IV.
That are strongly connected to each other
That are distributed over a specific set of cortical areas
That work together as a functional unit
Whose major parts are functionally dependent on each other so
that each of them is necessary for the optimal functioning of the
web.
Established terms : cell assembly, neuronal assembly, neuronal
ensemble.
Neurons in both areas should
a. Share specific response features
b. Show these response feature only if the respective other area is intact.
A view of cortical Function
The participating neurons are being bound into strongly connected
webs of neurons, functional units that represent cognitive entities
with sensory and action aspects.
• Action-related : frontal areas
• Sensory-related : posterior areas
Questions (answers in latter chapter)
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are the functional dynamics of these distributed neuronal
representations? (ch10,12)
Where exactly are they localized, or, formulating the question in a
slightly more adequate manner? (ch 4,6)
How can the internal wiring of the functional webs be specified? (
Is it sufficient to assume that the formation of these network is driven
by associative learning principles, or do genetically determined
factors play a role as well?
Temporal Dynamics in Functional Webs:
Ignition and Reverberation
Ignition : stimulation of a fraction of its
neurons can lead to a full activation of the
entire population.
Memory and ignition.
• Think of Gestalt principle.
Filtering based on Gestalt Principles
From http://rubenswieringa.com/nhl/the-secret-sales-pitch
Short-term(active) Memory
Short-term Memory
Operation
Spikes/sec
0
Baseline
S
5
10
Delay
15
M
Post-Choice
Time(sec)
Proposed that activation of a distributed cortical neuron ensemble is
reflected by coherent oscillatory activity of participating neuron.