Lecture 34: Cortical Circuits 1 Flashcards
What is the role of the neocortex?
sensory perception, motor execution / planning and higher cognitive functions e.g. decision-making, memory, thoughts, learning, attention, emotion, social behaviour, consciousness
Which regions are conserved in mammals?
cortical regions
What are association areas like in primates?
significantly expanded in primates
What is the role of the temporal lobe?
auditory
What is the role of the occipital lobe?
visual
What is the role of the parietal lobe?
motor, somatosensory and association
What is the role of the frontal lobe?
motor planning, memory, learning and social
What does an increase in structure lead to?
an increase in complexity of function
What is the motor and sensory homunculus?
a cortical map of the body
What defines the functional aspect of a region of the cortex?
its connections (and cellular composition)
What is the neocortex composed of?
six layers
What is the pyramidal neuron?
the functional unit of the cortex
Which percentage of cortical cells do pyramidal neurons constitute?
~75%
What do PYRs integrate synaptic inputs from? Where do most inputs arrive?
different pathways
on the dendrites
What can dendrites generate?
voltage events
Where do PYRs send axonal projections?
both within and outside of the cortex to other brain structures
Where does L2/3 input?
to the cortex and L5
Where does L5 input?
to cortical and subcortical regions
also to L6
Where does L6 input?
to the thalamus
Where does L4 input?
to L2/3
Where does the thalamus input?
to L2/3, L4, L5 and L6
Which percentage of cortical neurons are interneurons?
~20%
Which types of selectivity exist in the visual cortex?
orientation and direction selectivity
What is an important feature of inhibitory circuit computation?
surround suppression
