TEMPORAL CODES AND CORTICOCORTICAL COMMUNICATION

拟议研究的广泛目标是确定时间的作用 皮质信息处理中的代码。当前型号的 平均射速的符合检测和时间积分 都是用实验方法直接检验的。图案 识别和引导注意被选为相关的皮层 可能选择用于不同处理的函数 战略。模式识别需要快速、并行和 在多个范围内和跨多个范围详尽地绑定多个功能 很可能取决于在巧合中确定的快速定时方案 检测模型。另一方面，引导注意力反映了 部署一条狭窄的信息通道。这一过程很可能会 依赖较慢的、受Rate很好支持的连续搜索方案 标记更活跃的神经亚群的编码策略。 提出了具体的实验方法，以测试其利用率。 这些策略是由清醒动物中的神经元参与的简单但 定义明确的行为任务。 这些研究的意义在于建立我们对 大脑皮层动力学中时间处理的本质。了解以下内容 时间整合机制是下一个关键的步骤 探讨脑损伤的各种问题。越来越多的证据 指出时间处理的中断是一个基本的 发展性和获得性认知障碍的潜在机制。 此外，基于模型的治疗方法的第一个提示 时间加工表明，更详细的知识 大脑皮层信息流的计时将有助于努力 改善阅读困难、头部创伤和中风患者的生活。 归根结底，大脑是由平行和垂直的 皮质下连接(边缘、纹状体、丘脑皮质)以及 这里强调的是皮质连接。这项研究建议 将寻求将皮质相互作用的理解框定在 将支持丘脑皮质进一步研究的背景 整合。从这个框架向外扩展将扩大可能的 对治疗脑部疾病有重要意义的范围。

The broad aim of the proposed studies is to define the role of temporal codes in corticocortical information processing. Current models of coincidence detection and temporal integration of average firing rates are directly examined with an experimental approach. Pattern recognition and directing attention are chosen as related cortical functions which are likely to select for different processing strategies. Pattern recognition which requires fast, parallel and exhaustive, binding of multiple features within and across many scales is likely to depend on the fast timing schemes identified in coincidence detection models. Directing attention, on the other hand, reflects the deploying of a narrow information channel. This process is likely to depend on slower, serial search schemes that are well supported by rate coding strategies that mark more highly active neural sub-populations. Specific experimental methods are proposed to test the utilization of these strategies by neurons in the awake animal engaged in simple but well-defined behavioral tasks. The significance of these studies is to build our understanding of the nature of temporal processing in cortical dynamics. Knowledge of the mechanisms of temporal integration is the next crucial step in approaching the varied problems of brain injury. Increasing evidence points to the disruption of temporal processing as a fundamental mechanism underlying developmental and acquired cognitive disabilities. Morever, the first hints of therapeutic approaches based on models of temporal processing suggest that further detailed knowledge of the timing of information flow in the cortex will assist the efforts to improve the lives of patients with dyslexia, head trauma and stroke. Ultimately, the brain is organized with parallel and vertical subcortical connections (limbic, striatal, thalamocortical) as well as the corticocortical connections emphasized here. The studies proposed will seek to frame the understanding of corticocortical interactions in a context that will support further studies of thalamocortical integration. Building out from this framework will enlarge the possible scope of significance for the treatment of brain disorders.