In this Book

  • Brain Computation as Hierarchical Abstraction
  • Book
  • Dana H. Ballard
  • 2015
  • Published by: The MIT Press
summary
The vast differences between the brain's neural circuitry and a computer's silicon circuitry might suggest that they have nothing in common. In fact, as Dana Ballard argues in this book, computational tools are essential for understanding brain function. Ballard shows that the hierarchical organization of the brain has many parallels with the hierarchical organization of computing; as in silicon computing, the complexities of brain computation can be dramatically simplified when its computation is factored into different levels of abstraction.Drawing on several decades of progress in computational neuroscience, together with recent results in Bayesian and reinforcement learning methodologies, Ballard factors the brain's principal computational issues in terms of their natural place in an overall hierarchy. Each of these factors leads to a fresh perspective. A neural level focuses on the basic forebrain functions and shows how processing demands dictate the extensive use of timing-based circuitry and an overall organization of tabular memories. An embodiment level organization works in reverse, making extensive use of multiplexing and on-demand processing to achieve fast parallel computation. An awareness level focuses on the brain's representations of emotion, attention and consciousness, showing that they can operate with great economy in the context of the neural and embodiment substrates.

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Title Page, Series page, Copyright
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. pp. v-viii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Series Foreword
  2. Terrence J. Sejnowski and Tomaso Poggio
  3. pp. ix-x
  4. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Preface
  2. pp. xi-xii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. xiii-xiv
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part I. Setting the Stage
  1. 1. Brain Computation
  2. pp. 3-40
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 2. Brain Overview
  2. pp. 41-80
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part II. Neurons, Circuits, and Subsystems
  1. 3. Neurons and Circuits
  2. pp. 83-126
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 4. Cortical Memory
  2. pp. 127-162
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 5. Programs via Reinforcement
  2. pp. 163-200
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part III. Embodiment of Behavior
  1. 6. Sensory-Motor Routines
  2. pp. 203-234
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 7. Motor Routines
  2. pp. 235-274
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 8. Operating System
  2. pp. 275-318
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part IV. Awareness
  1. 9. Decision Making
  2. pp. 321-348
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 10. Emotions
  2. pp. 349-376
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 11. Consciousness
  2. pp. 377-410
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Notes
  2. pp. 411-412
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. References
  2. pp. 413-434
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Index
  2. pp. 435-440
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Series
  2. pp. 441-442
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.