Backward Projections in the Cerebral Cortex: Implications for Memory Storage

this article is to introduce a formal analysis of how the architecture shown in Figure 1 could operate. The model we analyze considers this question, taking as a starting point the number of different activity patterns that could be stored and retrieved from such networks. One particular interest of the analysis is how the operation of one module in#uences what can be stored and retrieved in the connected modules, and as a whole in the overall multimodular system. Although the Figure 1: Forward and backward projections between two areas in the neocortex. The pyramidal cells in layers 2 and 3 of area A project forward to terminate in the super#cial layers (2--4) of area B. In turn, the pyramidal cells in the deep layers of this area project back to layers 1--3 of area A. Also the hippocampusand the amygdala send backward projections to layer 1 of that area. Spiny stellate cells in layer 4 (present mainly in a primary cortical area) are represented by circles; the triangles represent pyramidal neuron