Disentangling Some Conceptual Knots

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 35(3), С. 391 - 395

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

I am grateful for all the commentators engaging with ideas of target article, and offering comments critiques to some The Entangled Brain's central elements (Pessoa, 2022, 2023). learned quite a bit appreciate their contributions dialogue about how we might best study brain.Several shared my views in fact captured related persuasively. For example, Hayden (2023) writes incisively problems arealization hypothesis, namely, idea that area borders are most important principle functional organization. Uddin even suggests localization-based accounts brain function have largely gone out style. That is certainly not reading current state literature and, likelihood, notion by contributing this Special Focus who found framework (Boone, Van Rooy, & De Brigard, 2023; Krakauer, Knutson Srirangarajan, Wyble, (2023), then, questions include "What constitutes network?" "How many networks exist?". Sadaghiani Alderson discuss contextual dependence networks/circuits both one challenging needs be addressed. Both Druckmann Rust Jennings applaud aspects proposal, but voice concerns, too. propose experiments specific areas can productive, especially when accompanied careful behavioral observations. hints at preference consider processes on spectrum, such as perception action, ultimately separable, view clearly "not entangled."In what follows, will briefly try address concerns raised. At outset, should explicitly apologize very selective references recent work. topics below spans decades includes Nobel prizes (Ylia Prigogine Giorgio Parisi). focus few studies emphasize or ongoing work, keep response focused.Here, would like key challenge often goes unacknowledged neuroscientists tend areas—the "arealists" puts it—as natural unit investigation: What exactly an area?The challenges adequately defining "area" formidable enough arealists recently stated "[d]espite centuries brain–behavior relationships, clear formalization regions…is lacking" (Genon, Reid, Langner, Amunts, Eickhoff, 2018, p. 362). In fact, these authors goal article "lift conceptual fog has clouded structure-function relationships brain" (p. 350). Following Brodmann, they "the priori defined construct region unknowns functions associated it" other words, criteria structural (e.g., cytoarchitectonic). Yet, it far from Genon colleagues' contribution able fog."To still area, let us perhaps quintessential outside sensorimotor cortex: Broca's which closely Brodmann's 44 45 linked speech processing since classic description patient Leborgne ("Tan") Paul Broca. Despite more than 150 years research, there no definitive basis define multiple definitions coexist (Keller, Crow, Foundas, Roberts, 2009). A Amunts collaborators suggested subdivided into dozen subareas (Amunts et al., 2010), including subdivisions 45, well small depth inferior frontal sulcus, operculum, transition premotor cortex (area 6).Because cortical territories involved language nonlanguage functions, Zilles (2012) concluded robust unambiguously. More recently, Fedorenko Blank (2020) argued hypotheses concerning cannot properly evaluated because consists functionally distinct components. them, functionally, direct opposition call colleagues (2018) structure feature (although latter also believe "core" function, if only discover it). To add difficulties concept, considerable evidence large-scale gradients organization gene expression patterns, anatomical connectivity) organizational principles human (Huntenburg, Bazin, Margulies, 2018), thus making determination clear-cut problematic.The situation daunting subcortically. Research past decade so revealed subcortex classical contain neuronal populations via chemical and/or genetic properties. These used micro-circuits support cell-type-specific manner. amygdala contains different subpopulations neurons, optogentically silencing them impairs fear extinction (Whittle 2021). Thus, working microcircuits understanding mechanisms fails (i.e., unlearned). Whereas concept circuits involving does itself pose problem arealists, reveals yet another level considered unraveling putative process areas.In summary, face establishing stable understand parcellate brain. This say obstacles insurmountable, show settled.In forms emergence discussed terms interactional complexity illustrated Type II networks. complementary way illustrate points distributed across (potentially large) sets regions.In computational study, Mejias Wang (2022) simulated activity 30 four lobes. Interareal connectivity was based quantitative data tract-tracing macaque Parameters regulating dynamics individual were did generate sustained themselves (this consistent empirical mouse, thalamic input required produce activity; Guo 2017). Nevertheless, after (simulated) stimulus withdrawal, persisted frontal, temporal, parietal lobes manner agreed data. further interactions activity, induced lesions. Inactivating had limited impact number regions exhibiting activity. However, large virtual lesions temporal areas. particularly well-connected, been proposed part "connectivity core" analysis (Markov 2013).Overall, model shows arise result multi-area interactions. simple example property—sustained activity—that novel respect alone. Multi-area models provide powerful ways experimental predictions. displaying silenced, levels decrease (roughly, results "mutual support" between areas). Empirical failure predictions alternative implementation memory area-specific. all, proposal proposals single-area operate, subject potential falsification Popperian fashion. Such are, exercise "seduction pure philosophical speculation," Srirangarajan (2023).To high degree brain, describes extinction. suggest understood network rich, bidirectional it. point being made basolateral amygdala, say, sudden entirely differently manner, presumed "shapeshifting" property Krakauer alludes to. Instead, hypothesis overall context learning versus engaged supporting extinction.Finally, mean do instantiate functions? then? argument constraints system-level arises under circumstances (Bishop, Silberstein, Pexton, 2022; Raja Anderson, 2021; Juarrero, 1999). Consider previously. physiological properties parietal, easily exhibit "working memory," although, right conditions, property. Individually, productive think connections providing system: system-wide (such persistent others) determined particular system.How researchers proceed? From standpoint studying tasks building Passingham, Stephan, Kötter (2002), multivariate fingerprints useful summaries evoked responses states 2017; Figure 1A). type summary potentially rich immediately shifts thinking "this computes X" participates processes." By tasks/conditions determining relative commonality engagement regions, test extent instantiated areas, showing RA RB participate together (Figure 1B). As additional recommendation, generated characterizing (multiple) interest summarized diversity profile (Anderson, Kinnison, Pessoa, 2013; 1C). case involve arousal, vigilance, novelty, attention, value determination, decision making, among others.Boone Wyble express concern lack compositionality Brain framework. compares organs heart liver), whereas words. states, "language compositional, meaning sentence strongly (though completely) words combined, using rules syntax semantics words."Compositionality system combined. language, semantic operating, combine exceedingly ways. power, form misses complex, nonlinear dynamical systems decades. phenomena bifurcations, static dynamic attractors, self-organization, give rise wide range behaviors (Strogatz, 2018). Nonlinear sensitivity initial differences lead vastly outcomes over time (as so-called chaotic systems). is, system, isolatable invariant word (even role pragmatics, intentions speaker, important). version may prove satisfactory explaining supports (some) behavior mental leaves possibility richer scenarios. historically, emphasized profitably viewed complex (Grossberg, 2021).Given limitations recordings, observed examples pattern generators, cells locale brain; detailed review, see Khona Fiete (2022). growing body work nature makes close contact data, visual awareness making. van Vugt threshold conscious report stimulus. Stimuli reported animals strong cortex, weaker quickly decayed unreported stimuli. explained feedforward feedback pFC (van Critically, displayed emergent localizeable any node. described simulate awareness-related simulations Wang, magnitude V1 reflect stimuli varying physical contrast. Importantly, graded strength, all-or-none pFC. addition, evolution signature onset "ignition" paralleled EEG auditory detection experiment (Sergent According (2022, 550), "[t]he global ignition phenomenon access consciousness represents variety now rigorously studied experimentally theoretically."To conclude, final point, status traditional labels constructs psychology, standard domains "perception," "cognition," "emotion"). Skimming through neuroscience textbooks, chapters perception, memory, learning, motor control, executive emotion, on. Brain, need dissolve boundaries domains, forcefully common psychological Medina, Desfilis, 2022). So, organize textbooks?A fruitful approach adopted Striedter's (2016) Neurobiology: Functional Approach. book focuses brains help solve, emphasis neural systems, highlighting evolutionary considerations. chapter "Remembering Relationships," sections cover memories stronger others, learn dangerous, happens conflict each habit episodic ones).I targeting solve holds great promise. "Selecting information world." benefit strategy selection applied cognition, emotion. Doing allows conceptualize underlying inherently cutting domains. Complex, naturalistic offer material, threat assessment (Pessoa 2022).If adopted, could substantially diverse textbooks. problem, however, unique decomposition mind. offers better nervous states. too long, our discipline independence separation. It adopt emphasizes interaction integration advance entangled brain.The author National Institute Mental Health (MH071589 MH112517) Brad Postle constructive feedback.Reprint requests sent Luiz University Maryland College Park, 1147 Biology-Psychology Bldg., MD 20742-5031, e-mail: [email protected] (https://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000025), grant numbers: MH071589, MH112517).Retrospective citations every published journal 2010 2021 gender imbalance: Although proportions authorship teams (categorized estimated identification first author/last author) publishing Journal Cognitive Neuroscience (JoCN) during period M(an)/M = .407, W(oman)/M .32, M/W .115, W/W .159, comparable articles cited M/M .549, W/M .257, .109, .085 (Postle Fulvio, JoCN, 34:1, pp. 1–3). Consequently, JoCN encourages balance selecting cite gives opportunity article's citation balance.

Язык: Английский

A new ontology for numerical cognition: Integrating evolutionary, embodied, and data informatics approaches

Acta Psychologica, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 249, С. 104416 - 104416

Опубликована: Авг. 8, 2024

Numerical cognition is a field that investigates the sociocultural, developmental, cognitive, and biological aspects of mathematical abilities. Recent findings in cognitive neuroscience suggest skills are facilitated by distributed, transient, dynamic networks brain, rather than isolated functional modules. Further, research on bodily evolutionary bases reveals our harness capacities originally evolved for action best understood conjunction with perceptuomotor capacities. Despite these insights, neural models numerical struggle to capture relation between systems. One front addressing this issue identify building block sensorimotor processes (BBPs) brain support develop new ontology connecting system cognition. BBPs here identified as functions, associated distributed consistently supporting different can be approaches neuroimaging; examining an array tasks experimental designs, employing data-driven informatics processes, interpreting results considering foundations New empirical insights eventually lead revamped embodied Among other skills, magnitude processing its origins discussed substantiate arguments presented. Additionally, fMRI study design provided illustrate application presented research.

Язык: Английский