Towards a Theory of the Laminar Architecture of Cerebral Cortex: Computational Clues from the Visual

Introduction: The Need for a Theory of the Laminar Structure of Cortex Although much ha been discoveredae ut the response properties of individua cortica neuronsar ar ut the structure of topogra hic maD( compa aa ely little is presently knowna( ut the functiona roles of the la yers of cerebra cortex. Twofa tors inpa ticula ma e thisa promising topic for futureresea; h: first, the six-laD` ed structure of cortex is, with only minor exceptions, remas, bly uniforma`0F) ma0F) ia speciesai a cross cortic a ea s. This suggests th funda menta l design principles ma underlie itsa`8 itecture. Second, new experimenta techniques for probing thela ina circuitry of cortex ha ve recently been developed, opening up new opportunities for a8)`F M ng previously intra ta le problems. However, the profuse inter-a nd intra la mina r connections within cortex seem to forma bewilderinga( impenetra le ta(B e. Rich ah reciproca corticocortica projections further deepen the puzzle. Given the complexity of the