Information processing limits on generating neuroanatomy: global optimization of rat olfactory cortex and amygdala

Abstract

A pattern of widespread connection optimization in the nervous system has become evident: deployment of some neural interconnections attains optimality, sometimes without detectable limits. New results for optimization of layout of connected areas of rat olfactory cortex and of rat amygdala are reported here. One larger question concerns mechanisms-how such minimization is attained. A next question is why a nervous system would optimize rather than just moderately satisfice. A morphogenic proposal that relates these questions is that the means of organizing neural wiring happens also to yield optimization. Some neuroanatomy is generated via "saving wire," and this optimizing is via simple physical processes rather than DNA-mediated mechanisms. Such "non-genomic nativism" is thereby a path around fundamental limitations on generating brains, some of the most complex structures in the known universe.

Xenacoelomorpha: a case of independent nervous system centralization?

“…This condition constrains the geometry of the network, provided that energy consumption is efficient. The principle has been thoroughly analysed in the context of the arrangement of the Caenorhabditis elegans NS [111]; the rat olfactory cortex and the amygdala [113]; and the cat sensory and macaque visual cortex [114]. In fact, Cherniak [111] has shown that in C. elegans (or in H. sapiens), rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org Phil.…”

Energy‐efficient neural information processing in individual neurons and neuronal networks

“…If selective pressure does act to maximize the coding efficiency and minimize the cost for the brain, experimental evidence as a consequence of the above selection processes should be expected to be observed (Cherniak and Rodriguez‐Esteban, ). The evidence may include but is not limited to optimizing the ionic channel dynamics and distribution of sodium and potassium channels among axons, optimizing the morphological parameters (e.g., axonal wiring length) of individual neurons within the neuronal dense cortex, and choosing the most economical strategies to represent information by producing trade‐offs between costs and benefits (Laughlin, ; Niven and Laughlin, ).…”

Modified Asano-Ohya-Khrennikov quantum-like model for decision-making process in a two-player game with nonlinear self- and cross-interaction terms of brain’s amygdala and prefrontal-cortex

“…In the chemical reaction perspective, the coefficients k 0 L and k 1 L are considered as the overall possible reaction rates from |0 A 〉 → |1 A 〉 and |1 A 〉 → |0 A 〉, respectively. Here, in our perspective based on [ 13 – 19 ], both coefficients are considered to represent the influence of brain’s prefrontal-cortex, which is related to the rational decision, and brain’s amygdala, which is related to the irrational decision, respectively. It is seen in the Eqs.…”

“…As mentioned in the Introduction section, we should emphasize that we consider our modification based on the observed amygdala and prefrontal cortex nonlinear interactions [ 13 – 19 ], as well as the specific functions of both brain’s part [ 9 – 12 ]. Similar nonlinear interactions can also be found in other physical systems, for instance, in the nonlinear optical systems with two or more different interacting modes (see, e.g., [ 25 – 27 ]).…”

“…Second, based on the first assumption, we propose a model modification, namely to include the self- and cross-interaction terms of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in the related dynamical equation of the comparison step. The interaction between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex has been a subject for intense investigation in recent years [ 13 – 19 ]. The assumption to include the interaction between the brain’s amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, to some extent, offers flexibility in explaining the dynamics of the decision-making process.…”