The topographic brain: from neural connectivity to cognition

A hallmark feature of vertebrate brain organization is ordered topography, wherein sets of neuronal connections preserve the relative organization of cells between two regions. Although topography is often found in projections from peripheral sense organs to the brain, it also seems to participate i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2007-06, Vol.30 (6), p.251-259
Main Authors: Thivierge, Jean-Philippe, Marcus, Gary F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavior - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Brain
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Cognition - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects. Models. Methods
Humans
Medical sciences
Models, Neurological
Nervous system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous
Neural Pathways - physiology
Neurology
Neurons
Neurosciences
Problem Solving - physiology
Studies
Thinking - physiology
Vertebrates
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:A hallmark feature of vertebrate brain organization is ordered topography, wherein sets of neuronal connections preserve the relative organization of cells between two regions. Although topography is often found in projections from peripheral sense organs to the brain, it also seems to participate in the anatomical and functional organization of higher brain centers, for reasons that are poorly understood. We propose that a key function of topography might be to provide computational underpinnings for precise one-to-one correspondences between abstract cognitive representations. This perspective offers a novel conceptualization of how the brain approaches difficult problems, such as reasoning and analogy making, and suggests that a broader understanding of topographic maps could be pivotal in fostering strong links between genetics, neurophysiology and cognition.
ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2007.04.004