Toward an interpretation of dynamic neural activity in terms of chaotic dynamical systems

Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24 (5):793-810 (2001)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Using the concepts of chaotic dynamical systems, we present an interpretation of dynamic neural activity found in cortical and subcortical areas. The discovery of chaotic itinerancy in high-dimensional dynamical systems with and without a noise term has motivated a new interpretation of this dynamic neural activity, cast in terms of the high-dimensional transitory dynamics among “exotic” attractors. This interpretation is quite different from the conventional one, cast in terms of simple behavior on low-dimensional attractors. Skarda and Freeman (1987) presented evidence in support of the conclusion that animals cannot memorize odor without chaotic activity of neuron populations. Following their work, we study the role of chaotic dynamics in biological information processing, perception, and memory. We propose a new coding scheme of information in chaos-driven contracting systems we refer to as Cantor coding. Since these systems are found in the hippocampal formation and also in the olfactory system, the proposed coding scheme should be of biological significance. Based on these intensive studies, a hypothesis regarding the formation of episodic memory is given. Key Words: Cantor coding; chaotic itinerancy; dynamic aspects of the brain; dynamic associative memory; episodic memory; high-dimensional dynamical systems; SCND attractors.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 99,245

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

The plausibility of a chaotic brain theory.Ichiro Tsuda - 2001 - Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24 (5):829-840.
Chaotic itinerancy: Insufficient perceptual evidence.Leslie M. Kay - 2001 - Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24 (5):819-820.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
135 (#146,930)

6 months
16 (#158,121)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?