Neural Networks

Synonyms

Neural net; Semantic network

Definition

(1) An interconnected system of neurons that receives and processes information to perform some function in the central nervous system. (2) A computational model, usually performed on a computer, of information processing units designed to emulate brain function and learning.

Introduction

The term “neural network” can refer to either biological neural networks or artificial neural networks, though it is usually used to refer to the latter. A biological neural network is a system of interconnected brain cells, called “neurons,” which make up the central nervous system. In cognitive science and neuroscience, biological neural networks are seen as information processing systems. Cognitive processes are a result of the interaction of highly interconnected neurons, sometimes spanning across multiple cortical regions. An artificial neural network (ANN) is a computational model that seeks to emulate a biological neural network to better...