NCS-FO: A circuit theory of cortical function

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 1532846
Owner
  • Award Id
    1532846
  • Award Effective Date
    8/1/2015 - 8 years ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    7/31/2018 - 5 years ago
  • Award Amount
    $ 970,091.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

NCS-FO: A circuit theory of cortical function

This project aims to develop and test a new conceptual framework for understanding brain function, and informing biologically based artificial intelligence systems. The underlying theory holds that the properties of any neuron and any cortical area are not fixed but undergo state changes with changing perceptual task, expectation and attention. Because of the multiple routes by which this top-down information can be conveyed, each neuron is essentially a microcosm of the brain as a whole. <br/><br/>In this framework, a neuron is viewed as an adaptive processor rather than merely a link in a labeled line, taking on functions that are required for performing the current task. The theory accounts for cortical function at the circuit level. Through an interaction between feedback and intrinsic connections neurons select inputs that are relevant to a task and suppress inputs that are irrelevant. The experiments will combine visual psychophysics, fMRI, large scale high density electrode array recordings and optogenetic manipulation. These techniques will be used to measure changes in effective connectivity between cortical areas and the relationship between effective connectivity and the information represented by neurons at different recording sites as animals perform different visual recognition tasks. Computational models will be developed to account for how task-dependent gating of connections can be achieved and will reproduce the functional dynamics observed experimentally. Though the experiments will focus on the visual modality, the findings from the work will formulate a general theory of brain function that is broadly applicable to the brain as a whole.

  • Program Officer
    Kenneth C. Whang
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    8/10/2015 - 8 years ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    8/10/2015 - 8 years ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    Rockefeller University
  • City
    NEW YORK
  • State
    NY
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    1230 YORK AVENUE
  • Postal Code
    100656399
  • Phone Number
    2123278309

Investigators

  • First Name
    Charles
  • Last Name
    Gilbert
  • Email Address
    gilbert@rockefeller.edu
  • Start Date
    8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM
  • First Name
    George
  • Last Name
    Reeke
  • Email Address
    reeke@lobimo.rockefeller.edu
  • Start Date
    8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM
  • First Name
    Winrich
  • Last Name
    Freiwald
  • Email Address
    wfreiwald@rockefeller.edu
  • Start Date
    8/10/2015 12:00:00 AM

Program Element

  • Text
    IntgStrat Undst Neurl&Cogn Sys
  • Code
    8624
  • Text
    BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
  • Code
    5345

Program Reference

  • Text
    Understanding the Brain/Cognitive Scienc
  • Code
    8089
  • Text
    BRAIN Initiative Res Support
  • Code
    8091
  • Text
    IntgStrat Undst Neurl&Cogn Sys
  • Code
    8551
  • Text
    BIOMEDICAL ENG AND DIAGNOSTICS