Oscillatory Event-Related Brain Dynamics

Christo Pantev (Curatore)

Thomas Elbert (Curatore)

Springer-Verlag New York Inc., 2013

How does the brain code and process incoming information, how does it recog­ nize a certain object, how does a certain Gestalt come into our awareness? One of the key issues to conscious realization of an object, of a Gestalt is the attention de­ voted to the corresponding sensory input which evokes the neural pattern underly­ ing the Gestalt. This requires that the attention be devoted to one set of objects at a time. However, the attention may be switched quickly between different objects or ongoing input processes. It is to be expected that such mechanisms are reflected in the neural dynamics: Neurons or neuronal assemblies which pertain to one object may fire, possibly in rapid bursts at a time. Such firing bursts may enhance the synaptic strength in the corresponding cell assembly and thereby form the substrate of short-term memory. However, we may well become aware of two different objects at a time. How can we avoid that the firing patterns which may relate to say a certain type of move­ ment (columns in V5) or to a color (V 4) of one object do not become mixed with those of another object? Such a blend may only happen if the presentation times be­ come very short (below 20-30 ms). One possibility is that neurons pertaining to one cell assembly fire syn­ chronously. Then different cell assemblies firing at different rates may code different information.

• Curatore: Christo Pantev, Thomas Elbert
• Editore: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
• Collana: NATO Science Series A:
• Anno: 2013
• Rilegatura: Paperback / softback
• Pagine: 468 p.
• Dimensioni: 254 x 178 mm
• EAN: 9781489913098

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