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http://willcov.com/bio-consciousness/front/Thalamocortical system.htm
Thalamocortical system
The thalamocortical system and the dynamic core provide the biological basis of consciousness. Working memory, the
dynamic core, and the thalamocortical system are intimately related.
The thalamocortical system consists of continuously ongoing neural signals between nuclei in the thalamus and
neurons in all modular areas of the cortex. In general, neurons are never idle. Neurons fire at about 5 Hz in the
quiescent state and at rates as high as 500 Hz in the active state.
Fast oscillations are coherent between thalamus and cortex. (Traub; Cortical Oscillations, 58)
The thalamocortical system is continuously active from a time early in prenatal embryonic life until death.
Signals in the thalamocortical system are defined by rates of synaptic bursts and by temporal and spatial burst
patterns of synaptic activity.
The dynamic core consists of a momentary subset of the thalamocortical system defined by active synapses. Positive
feedback/reentrant signals circulate in the network of the dynamic core. The active synapses comprising the
dynamic core continually change as the dynamic core updates recursively on the basis of about 100 ms.
The idea that an iterative algorithm is carried out in the thalamocortical loop has received experimental confirmation
in observed oscillations. (Mumford; Thalamus, 982)
the reentrant signals circulating in the dynamic core create an oscillation of about 40 Hz
Consciousness thoughts are mediated by patterns of active synapses comprised of reentrant, recursive pathways.
The only conclusion that can be drawn for sure about the neural substrate of consciousness is that it includes parts of
the corticothalamic system. (Tononi & Laureys; Neurology of Consciousness, 390)
At any moment during an animal's life, only a small fraction of neurons will be strongly activated by natural stimuli.
(Foldiak; Sparse Coding, 897)
The coordinated activity within the thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the ventral lateral prefrontal cortex
(VLPFC), posterior parietal cortex (PPC), and the brain stem probably regulate the content of consciousness
through mechanisms of executive attention. (Vogt; Cingulate Neurobiology, 384)
Processing in any given cortical area is intimately related to activity in the particular thalamic nucleus with which it
has reciprocal and close connections. (LaBerge; Attentional Processing, 166)
For most cortical areas, the main target of thalamocortical projections is layer 3. (LaBerge; Attentional Processing,
174)
Almost 10 times as many visual neurons go down from the visual cortex to the thalamus as the other way, suggesting
continuous and intimate looping between thalamus and cortex, controlled by nucleus reticularis thalami (nRt).
(Baars; Neuronal Mechanisms of Consciousness, 273)
Working memory and the prefrontal cortex along with other cortical areas.
Thalamocortical system by itself cannot mediate consciousness. Must have support from non-conscious networks.
Portions of non-conscious networks can be damaged and still leave consciousness.
A major function of the thalamus is to gate and otherwise modulate the flow of information to the cortex.
I have sketched my overall concept of the thalamocortical system in a diagram.
Thalamocortical system evolved to receive signals from sensory receptors and give signals to voluntary muscles.
(Edelman; Bright Air, 117)
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http://willcov.com/bio-consciousness/front/Thalamocortical system.htm
The thalamocortical system is constantly active with circulating, reentrant neural signals exciting neural assemblies
of various sizes with generally excitatory stimulation when positive behavior is needed, but with inhibitory
stimulation when more quiescent behavior is needed.
The dynamic core of consciousness can be visualized as a small subset of this thalamocortical activity, combined
with supporting activity in other subcortical areas. The dynamic core is fleetingly changing in composition as the
neural networks respond to momentary aggregates of spike signals passing along efficacious-synapse pathways.
These efficacious-synapse pathways have been established by prior activity and experience among the thousands of
neurons on dendritic trees of neurons.
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The thalamocortical system, by its hublike organization, allows radial communication of the thalamic nuclei with all
aspects of the cortex. These cortical regions include the sensory, motor, and associational areas. These areas subserve a
feedforward/feedback, reverberating flow of information. (Llins; I of the Vortex, 126)
Thalamocortical system evolved to receive signals from sensory receptor sheets and give signals to voluntary muscles.
(Edelman; Bright Air, 117)
Thalamocortical system is very fast in its responses (milliseconds to seconds), although its synaptic connections undergo
some changes that last a lifetime. (Edelman; Bright Air, 117)
Consciousness is a noncontinuous event determined by simultaneity of activity in the thalamocortical system. (Llins; I
of the Vortex, 124)
Thalamic input from the cortex is far larger than from the peripheral sensory systems. This suggests that thalamocortical
iterative activity is a main mechanism of brain function. (Llins; I of the Vortex, 124)
Categorization response is similar to a previous response, but at a later time the neurons and synapses contributing to that
response will be different. In general, they are likely to have been altered by ongoing activity in the brain. (Edelman;
Bright Air, 102)
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