Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
120(46)
Published: Nov. 8, 2023
Understanding
the
neurobiological
mechanisms
underlying
consciousness
remains
a
significant
challenge.
Recent
evidence
suggests
that
coupling
between
distal–apical
and
basal–somatic
dendrites
in
thick-tufted
layer
5
pyramidal
neurons
(L5
PN
),
regulated
by
nonspecific-projecting
thalamus,
is
crucial
for
consciousness.
Yet,
it
uncertain
whether
this
thalamocortical
mechanism
can
support
emergent
signatures
of
consciousness,
such
as
integrated
information.
To
address
question,
we
constructed
biophysical
network
dual-compartment
L5
,
with
dendrosomatic
controlled
thalamic
inputs.
Our
findings
demonstrate
information
maximized
when
nonspecific
inputs
drive
system
into
regime
time-varying
synchronous
bursting.
Here,
exhibits
variable
spiking
dynamics
broad
pairwise
correlations,
supporting
enhanced
Further,
observed
peak
aligns
criticality
empirically
bursting
rates.
These
results
suggest
core
mammalian
brain
may
be
evolutionarily
configured
to
optimize
effective
processing,
providing
potential
neuronal
integrates
microscale
theories
macroscale
Nature Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
25(11), P. 1569 - 1581
Published: Oct. 27, 2022
Abstract
Neurotransmitter
receptors
support
the
propagation
of
signals
in
human
brain.
How
receptor
systems
are
situated
within
macro-scale
neuroanatomy
and
how
they
shape
emergent
function
remain
poorly
understood,
there
exists
no
comprehensive
atlas
receptors.
Here
we
collate
positron
emission
tomography
data
from
more
than
1,200
healthy
individuals
to
construct
a
whole-brain
three-dimensional
normative
19
transporters
across
nine
different
neurotransmitter
systems.
We
found
that
profiles
align
with
structural
connectivity
mediate
function,
including
neurophysiological
oscillatory
dynamics
resting-state
hemodynamic
functional
connectivity.
Using
Neurosynth
cognitive
atlas,
uncovered
topographic
gradient
overlapping
distributions
separates
extrinsic
intrinsic
psychological
processes.
Finally,
both
expected
novel
associations
between
cortical
abnormality
patterns
13
disorders.
replicated
all
findings
an
independently
collected
autoradiography
dataset.
This
work
demonstrates
chemoarchitecture
shapes
brain
structure
providing
new
direction
for
studying
multi-scale
organization.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Oct. 14, 2021
Abstract
Models
of
cognitive
function
typically
focus
on
the
cerebral
cortex
and
hence
overlook
functional
links
to
subcortical
structures.
This
view
does
not
consider
role
highly-conserved
ascending
arousal
system’s
computational
capacities
it
provides
brain.
We
test
hypothesis
that
system
modulates
cortical
neural
gain
alter
low-dimensional
energy
landscape
dynamics.
Here
we
use
spontaneous
magnetic
resonance
imaging
data
study
phasic
bursts
in
both
locus
coeruleus
basal
forebrain,
demonstrating
precise
time-locked
relationships
between
brainstem
activity,
landscapes,
network
topology,
spatiotemporal
travelling
waves.
extend
our
analysis
a
cohort
experienced
meditators
demonstrate
coeruleus-mediated
dynamics
were
associated
with
internal
shifts
conscious
awareness.
Together,
these
results
present
brain
organization
highlights
shaping
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: Aug. 10, 2022
Abstract
Numerous
brain
disorders
demonstrate
structural
abnormalities,
which
are
thought
to
arise
from
molecular
perturbations
or
connectome
miswiring.
The
unique
and
shared
contributions
of
these
connectomic
vulnerabilities
remain
unknown,
has
yet
be
studied
in
a
single
multi-disorder
framework.
Using
MRI
morphometry
the
ENIGMA
consortium,
we
construct
maps
cortical
abnormalities
for
thirteen
neurodevelopmental,
neurological,
psychiatric
N
=
21,000
participants
26,000
controls,
collected
using
harmonised
processing
protocol.
We
systematically
compare
multiple
micro-architectural
measures,
including
gene
expression,
neurotransmitter
density,
metabolism,
myelination
(molecular
vulnerability),
as
well
global
measures
number
connections,
centrality,
connection
diversity
(connectomic
vulnerability).
find
relationship
between
vulnerability
white-matter
architecture
that
drives
disorder
profiles.
Local
attributes,
particularly
receptor
profiles,
constitute
best
predictors
both
disorder-specific
morphology
cross-disorder
similarity.
Finally,
consistently
subtended
by
small
subset
network
epicentres
bilateral
sensory-motor,
inferior
temporal
lobe,
precuneus,
superior
parietal
cortex.
Collectively,
our
results
highlight
how
local
attributes
connectivity
jointly
shape
abnormalities.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
28(4), P. 352 - 368
Published: Jan. 9, 2024
To
explain
how
the
brain
orchestrates
information-processing
for
cognition,
we
must
understand
information
itself.
Importantly,
is
not
a
monolithic
entity.
Information
decomposition
techniques
provide
way
to
split
into
its
constituent
elements:
unique,
redundant,
and
synergistic
information.
We
review
disentangling
redundant
interactions
redefining
our
understanding
of
integrative
function
neural
organisation.
navigates
trade-offs
between
redundancy
synergy,
converging
evidence
integrating
structural,
molecular,
functional
underpinnings
synergy
redundancy;
their
roles
in
cognition
computation;
they
might
arise
over
evolution
development.
Overall,
provides
guiding
principle
informational
architecture
cognition.
PLoS Computational Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
20(2), P. e1011801 - e1011801
Published: Feb. 8, 2024
We
introduce
dynamic
predictive
coding,
a
hierarchical
model
of
spatiotemporal
prediction
and
sequence
learning
in
the
neocortex.
The
assumes
that
higher
cortical
levels
modulate
temporal
dynamics
lower
levels,
correcting
their
predictions
using
errors.
As
result,
form
representations
encode
sequences
at
shorter
timescales
(e.g.,
single
step)
while
longer
an
entire
sequence).
tested
this
two-level
neural
network,
where
top-down
modulation
creates
low-dimensional
combinations
set
learned
to
explain
input
sequences.
When
trained
on
natural
videos,
lower-level
neurons
developed
space-time
receptive
fields
similar
those
simple
cells
primary
visual
cortex
higher-level
responses
spanned
timescales,
mimicking
response
hierarchies
cortex.
Additionally,
network’s
representation
exhibited
both
postdictive
effects
resembling
observed
motion
processing
humans
flash-lag
illusion).
coupled
with
associative
memory
emulating
role
hippocampus,
allowed
episodic
memories
be
stored
retrieved,
supporting
cue-triggered
recall
activity
extended
three
progressively
more
abstract
along
hierarchy.
Taken
together,
our
results
suggest
can
interpreted
as
coding
based
generative
world.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: March 28, 2022
Abstract
Disruption
of
mental
functions
in
Alzheimer’s
disease
(AD)
and
related
disorders
is
accompanied
by
selective
degeneration
brain
regions.
These
regions
comprise
large-scale
ensembles
cells
organized
into
systems
for
functioning,
however
the
relationship
between
clinical
symptoms
dementia,
patterns
neurodegeneration,
functional
not
clear.
Here
we
present
a
model
association
dementia
degenerative
anatomy
using
F18-fluorodeoxyglucose
PET
dimensionality
reduction
techniques
two
cohorts
patients
with
AD.
This
reflected
simple
information
processing-based
description
macroscale
which
link
to
AD
physiology,
networks,
abilities.
We
further
apply
normal
aging
seven
diseases
functions.
propose
global
processing
that
links
neuroanatomy,
cognitive
neuroscience
neurology.
Communications Biology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
5(1)
Published: April 20, 2022
The
human
brain
entertains
rich
spatiotemporal
dynamics,
which
are
drastically
reconfigured
when
consciousness
is
lost
due
to
anaesthesia
or
disorders
of
(DOC).
Here,
we
sought
identify
the
neurobiological
mechanisms
that
explain
how
transient
pharmacological
intervention
and
chronic
neuroanatomical
injury
can
lead
common
reconfigurations
neural
activity.
We
developed
systematically
perturbed
a
neurobiologically
realistic
model
whole-brain
haemodynamic
signals.
By
incorporating
PET
data
about
cortical
distribution
GABA
receptors,
our
computational
reveals
key
role
spatially-specific
local
inhibition
for
reproducing
functional
MRI
activity
observed
during
with
GABA-ergic
agent
propofol.
Additionally,
diffusion
obtained
from
DOC
patients
dynamics
characterise
loss
also
emerge
randomised
connectivity.
Our
results
generalise
between
datasets,
demonstrating
increased
connectome
perturbation
represent
distinct
paths
towards
characteristic
unconscious
brain.