Architecture Chapter 2, Cortical Systems

Figure 2.1 Cortical Layers

Figure 2 shows the layer structure. All incoming stimuli start at the 4th layer. The 4th Layer stimulates Layer 2 and Layer 3 which L3 stimulates Layers 6, an inhibitory L3 shadow layer, as well as Layer 4 of the next cortical layer. Layer 2 stimulates the Layer 4 of the next cortical column, as well as, Layer 5. Layer 1 is an incoming layer from the next cortical column which when stimulated, stimulates Layers 2, 5 and 6. Layer 5 stimulates Motor neurons/columns, Layer 6 stimulates the Thalamus and Layer 1 of the preceding cortical layer.

The Thalamus region has a special layering and flow. Each neuron from L5 is associated to the neuron in the Thalamus region and the Thalamus column is setup similar to the Cortical Column minus layer 6 and altered L5 with L3 and L2 looping back to L4 of the calling Cortical Column.

Figure 2.2 Thalamus Column

Columns are arranged by functional areas and then linked together; e.g. Sensory Input > Geniculate Layer > Visual Layer 1 (V1) > Visual Layer 2 (V2) ....

Chapter 3