Why
do
some
mental
activities
feel
harder
than
others?
The
answer
to
this
question
is
surprisingly
controversial.
Current
theories
propose
that
cognitive
effort
affords
a
computational
benefit,
such
as
instigating
switch
from
an
activity
with
low
reward
value
different
higher
value.
By
contrast,
in
article
I
relate
the
fact
brain
neuroanatomy
and
neurophysiology
render
neural
states
more
energy-efficient
others.
introduce
concept
of
“controllosphere,”
energy-inefficient
region
state
space
associated
high
control,
which
surrounds
better-known
“intrinsic
manifold”,
subspace
control.
Integration
control-theoretic
principles
classic
neurocomputational
models
control
suggests
dorsolateral
prefrontal
cortex
(DLPFC)
implements
controller
can
drive
system
into
controllosphere,
anterior
cingulate
(ACC)
observer
monitors
changes
controlled
system,
reflects
mismatch
between
DLPFC
ACC
energies
for
observation.
On
account,
scales
energetic
demands
signal,
especially
when
consequences
are
unobservable
by
ACC.
Further,
transitions
through
controllosphere
lead
buildup
waste.
Cognitive
therefore
prevents
against
damage
discouraging
extended
periods
Trends in Cognitive Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
27(11), P. 1032 - 1052
Published: Sept. 11, 2023
Prediction
is
often
regarded
as
an
integral
aspect
of
incremental
language
comprehension,
but
little
known
about
the
cognitive
architectures
and
mechanisms
that
support
it.
We
review
studies
showing
listeners
readers
use
all
manner
contextual
information
to
generate
multifaceted
predictions
upcoming
input.
The
nature
these
may
vary
between
individuals
owing
differences
in
experience,
among
other
factors.
then
turn
unresolved
questions
which
guide
search
for
underlying
mechanisms.
(i)
Is
prediction
essential
processing
or
optional
strategy?
(ii)
Are
generated
from
within
system
by
domain-general
processes?
(iii)
What
relationship
memory?
(iv)
Does
comprehension
require
simulation
via
production
system?
discuss
promising
directions
making
progress
answering
developing
a
mechanistic
understanding
language.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(17)
Published: April 17, 2024
Collective
motion
is
ubiquitous
in
nature;
groups
of
animals,
such
as
fish,
birds,
and
ungulates
appear
to
move
a
whole,
exhibiting
rich
behavioral
repertoire
that
ranges
from
directed
movement
milling
disordered
swarming.
Typically,
macroscopic
patterns
arise
decentralized,
local
interactions
among
constituent
components
(e.g.,
individual
fish
school).
Preeminent
models
this
process
describe
individuals
self-propelled
particles,
subject
self-generated
“social
forces”
short-range
repulsion
long-range
attraction
or
alignment.
However,
organisms
are
not
particles;
they
probabilistic
decision-makers.
Here,
we
introduce
an
approach
modeling
collective
behavior
based
on
active
inference.
This
cognitive
framework
casts
the
consequence
single
imperative:
minimize
surprise.
We
demonstrate
many
empirically
observed
phenomena,
including
cohesion,
milling,
motion,
emerge
naturally
when
considering
driven
by
Bayesian
inference—without
explicitly
building
rules
goals
into
agents.
Furthermore,
show
inference
can
recover
generalize
classical
notion
social
forces
agents
attempt
suppress
prediction
errors
conflict
with
their
expectations.
By
exploring
parameter
space
belief-based
model,
reveal
nontrivial
relationships
between
beliefs
group
properties
like
polarization
tendency
visit
different
states.
also
explore
how
about
uncertainty
determine
decision-making
accuracy.
Finally,
update
generative
model
over
time,
resulting
collectively
more
sensitive
external
fluctuations
encode
information
robustly.
Nature Machine Intelligence,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
5(12), P. 1369 - 1381
Published: Nov. 20, 2023
Abstract
Brain
networks
exist
within
the
confines
of
resource
limitations.
As
a
result,
brain
network
must
overcome
metabolic
costs
growing
and
sustaining
its
physical
space,
while
simultaneously
implementing
required
information
processing.
Here,
to
observe
effect
these
processes,
we
introduce
spatially
embedded
recurrent
neural
(seRNN).
seRNNs
learn
basic
task-related
inferences
existing
three-dimensional
Euclidean
where
communication
constituent
neurons
is
constrained
by
sparse
connectome.
We
find
that
converge
on
structural
functional
features
are
also
commonly
found
in
primate
cerebral
cortices.
Specifically,
they
solving
using
modular
small-world
networks,
which
functionally
similar
units
configure
themselves
utilize
an
energetically
efficient
mixed-selective
code.
Because
emerge
unison,
reveal
how
many
common
motifs
strongly
intertwined
can
be
attributed
biological
optimization
processes.
incorporate
biophysical
constraints
fully
artificial
system
serve
as
bridge
between
research
communities
move
neuroscientific
understanding
forwards.
Philosophical Psychology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 24
Published: March 21, 2023
A
distinguishing
feature
of
neural
computation
and
information
processing
is
that
it
fits
models
describe
the
most
efficient
strategies
for
performing
different
cognitive
tasks.
Efficiency
determines
a
distinctive
sense
teleology
involving
optimal
performance
resource
management
through
specific
strategy.
I
articulate
this
kind
call
teleological
function.
argue
function
compatible
with
mechanistic
explanation
and,
likely,
computational
mechanisms
are
efficiently
functional
in
sense.
They
members
class
whose
efficiency
intertwined
their
functionality.
This
illustrated
by
widely
discussed
approaches
to
mind,
such
as
Barlow's
coding
hypothesis
or
ones
associated
so-called
"predictive
mind",
which
propose
brain
employs
highly
save
energy
resources
critical
organism's
survival.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
17
Published: March 3, 2023
Predictive
coding
is
a
computational
theory
on
describing
how
the
brain
perceives
and
acts,
which
has
been
widely
adopted
in
sensory
processing
motor
control.
Nociceptive
pain
involves
large
distributed
network
of
circuits.
However,
it
still
unknown
whether
this
completely
decentralized
or
requires
networkwide
coordination.
Multiple
lines
evidence
from
human
animal
studies
have
suggested
that
cingulate
cortex
insula
(cingulate-insula
network)
are
two
major
hubs
mediating
information
afferents
spinothalamic
inputs,
whereas
subregions
cortices
distinct
projections
functional
roles.
In
mini-review,
we
propose
an
updated
hierarchical
predictive
framework
for
perception
discuss
its
related
computational,
algorithmic,
implementation
issues.
We
suggest
active
inference
as
generalized
algorithm,
hierarchically
organized
traveling
waves
independent
neural
oscillations
plausible
mechanism
to
integrate
bottom-up
top-down
across
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 20, 2025
Abstract
This
study
explores
whether
predictive
coding
(PC)
inspired
Deep
Neural
Networks
can
serve
as
biologically
plausible
neural
network
models
of
the
brain.
We
compared
two
PC-inspired
training
objectives,
a
and
contrastive
approach,
to
supervised
baseline
in
simple
Recurrent
Network
(RNN)
architecture.
evaluated
on
key
signatures
PC,
including
mismatch
responses,
formation
priors,
learning
semantic
information.
Our
results
show
that
models,
especially
locally
trained
model,
exhibited
these
PC-like
behaviors
better
than
Supervised
or
an
Untrained
RNN.
Further,
we
found
activity
regularization
evokes
response-like
effects
across
all
suggesting
it
may
proxy
for
energy-saving
principles
PC.
Finally,
find
Gain
Control
(an
important
mechanism
PC
framework)
be
implemented
using
weight
regularization.
Overall,
our
findings
indicate
are
able
capture
computational
processing
brain,
promising
foundation
building
artificial
networks.
work
contributes
understanding
relationship
between
biological
networks,
highlights
potential
algorithms
advancing
brain
modelling
well
brain-inspired
machine
learning.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: Feb. 13, 2025
Abstract
Complex
behavior
is
supported
by
the
coordination
of
multiple
brain
regions.
How
do
regions
coordinate
absent
a
homunculus?
We
propose
achieved
controller-peripheral
architecture
in
which
peripherals
(e.g.,
ventral
visual
stream)
aim
to
supply
needed
inputs
their
controllers
hippocampus
and
prefrontal
cortex)
while
expending
minimal
resources.
developed
formal
model
within
this
framework
address
how
support
rapid
learning
from
few
example
images.
The
captured
higher-level
activity
controller
shaped
lower-level
representations,
affecting
precision
sparsity
manner
that
paralleled
measures.
In
particular,
peripheral
encoded
information
extent
smooth
operation
controller.
Alternative
models
optimized
gradient
descent
irrespective
architectural
constraints
could
not
account
for
human
or
responses,
and,
typical
standard
deep
approaches,
were
unstable
trial-by-trial
learners.
While
previous
work
offered
accounts
specific
faculties,
such
as
perception,
attention,
learning,
approach
step
toward
addressing
next
generation
questions
concerning
faculties
coordinate.