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Generality of the functional structure of the neocortex

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Abstract

The fundamental similarities between various neocortical areas are elaborated by pointing out the common principles of its afferent, intrinsic, and efferent organization, with special emphasis on the generality of thalamocortical circuits. Interareal differences in morphology and function can be considered as accidental, i.e., depending on the circuit in which a given cortical area is involved. The neocortex is a link in the chain of afferent-efferent signal processing, and can be understood as a cooperative network that acts as a non-linear spatiotemporal filter with adaptive properties (memory) and that transforms afferent signal flow. It is assumed that these filter properties are identical for all neocortical areas. The functional role of a circumscribed cortical area depends exclusively on its position within a certain functional circuit and is defined by it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Neurobiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, D-3400, Göttingen

    Otto D. Creutzfeldt

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  1. Otto D. Creutzfeldt
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Dedicated to the memory of Constantin von Economo (1876–1932) and presented, in parts, at a symposium celebrating his 100th anniversary at the Academy of Sciences in Vienna (IBRO Monograph Series, Vol. 3, Raven Press, in press)

The selection of papers quoted is to some extent subjective rather than a complete representation of work done in this field. The number of references to papers of the author may, therefore, seem disproportionally large, but this should not be confounded with his actual contributions. There is an economic element in it, insofar as references to other, maybe earlier and more important publications are found in these papers. A representative sample of recent work, with ample bibliography, on the structure and function of the cerebral cortex can be found in the book: Afferent and intrinsic organization of laminated structures in the brain (O. Creutzfeldt, ed.), Exp. Brain Res., Suppl. 1 (1976).

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Creutzfeldt, O.D. Generality of the functional structure of the neocortex. Naturwissenschaften 64, 507–517 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483547

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