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Neuron Digest Volume 06 Number 28
Neuron Digest Friday, 27 Apr 1990 Volume 6 : Issue 28
Today's Topics:
time and rhythm in the brain
Neural (biological) modelling
neural clocks
Summer Workshop on Biological Neural Systems, Berkeley, July 1990
2nd Annual NEURAL NETWORKS FOR DEFENSE Conference -- 6/16, San Diego, CA
Research Fellow - Computational modelling of cognitive systems
BBS Call for Commentators: Dynamic Programming/Optimization
Neuropsychology of Schizophrenia: BBS Call for Commentators
Send submissions, questions, address maintenance and requests for old issues to
"neuron-request@hplabs.hp.com" or "{any backbone,uunet}!hplabs!neuron-request"
Use "ftp" to get old issues from hplpm.hpl.hp.com (15.255.176.205).
------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: time and rhythm in the brain
From: Stephen Smoliar <smoliar@vaxa.isi.edu>
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 90 07:16:13 -0700
Peter Marvit offered some useful pointers into the literature on the
matter of the brain's ability to perceive intervals of time and rhythmic
patterns. One of the author's he cited, Stephen Handel, has now
published an entire book, LISTENING: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PERCEPTION OF
AUDITORY EVENTS (MIT Press). Chapter 11 of this book is entitled
"Rhythm." It offers an exposition of much of the work Peter cited and
may thus serve as a good starting point for readers who are interested in
psychological evidence on these matters.
------------------------------
Subject: Neural (biological) modelling
From: "Dr. Laurence L. Leff" <leff@dept.csci.unt.edu>
Organization: University of North Texas in Denton
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 90 11:34:21 -0500
Submitted for Eve Lewis:
I was pleased to see that Dr. Lehar has suggested that it would be
profitable to the discipline of neural modelling, to introduce a
measure of complexity into the effort. For a long time, I have
thought that the connectionists view the neural surrogates as so
many little identical soldiers, or pawns, and the relationships bet-
ween them as far too simplistic, even for the purposes of
simulation.
Firstly, all neurons are phenotypically dissimilar as a consequence
of gene expression, even within a neural type and even within an in-
dividual animal, resulting in functional differences. Obviously, as
one departs from one neural type, to go to another, e.g., from a
mitral cell in the olfactory system to a Purkinje cell in the
cerebellum, the phenotypy--as a consequence of differentiated gene
expression--presents in a highly individualistic manner, often
dramatically. The implications for functional roles, relationships,
and even neural melodrama, are taken into account with advantage.
Secondly, as Dr. Lehar has pointed out to us, there are many two-way
highways in the brain, and to complicate matters even more, there
are all sorts of collateral connections between pathways. These are
especially rampant in such as the medullary reticular substance,
which is a veritable meshwork of intercommunicating small neurons.
Dr. Lehar gives as his example the neural route ferrying data along
the classical optic pathway, and alludes to the countervailing im-
pulses of the centrifugal fibers to the retina which, once they get
there, involve themselves in a highly complicating influence on the
layers of retinal elements. There are similar centrifugal pathways
to the other sensory systems--I might point out that such a pathway
to the organ of Corti is particularly poorly understood.
And, we have not yet even considered the limbic system, to which I
attribute the powerful ability of the human brain to think in "fuzzy
terms." The medial forebrain bundle, for example, is a
heavily-trafficked two-way highway ... the hypothalamic nuclei are
veritably bombarded by countervailing, competitive data. The adult
brain is a living sculpture, to produce which, many neurons have
fought and died. (E.g., in regard the mesencephalic trigeminal
nucleus, we can mourn for the death of fully 75% of the original
population!)
The cerebellum, due to recent research, is now considered to be a
participant in memory, along with the neocortex and limbic system.
Should we view the brachium conjunctivum, the massive tract carrying
somesthetic impulses into the cerebellum, and the brachium pontis,
delivering dicta to the cerebellum from the neocortex, simply as
friendly ships that pass in the night, or are they players in
dramatic interaction taking place between the cerebrum and the army
of sensory contributors to the cerebellum, which enlist militia from
our very toes?
The brain's complexity as a dynamic ecosystem, is well portrayed in
the following quote from Dr. Sperry of split-brain fame, and Nobel
Prize winner:
"The left-right dichotomy in cognitive mode is an idea with which it
is very easy to run wild. QUALITATIVE SHIFTS IN MENTAL CONTROL MAY
INVOLVE UP-DOWN, FRONT-BACK, OR VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
AS WELL AS LEFT-RIGHT DIFFERENCES. Furthermore, in the normal state,
the two hemispheres appear to work closely together as a unit,
rather than one being turned on while the other idles."
Roger W. Sperry, "Some Effects of Disconnecting the Cerebral
Hemispheres," Science, Vol. 217, 24 Sept. l982, p. 1225.
Lastly, simulation of the brain and mental function must take into
account molecular biological factors. Once we respect individual
neurons for their uniqueness, we have got to go back to the raison
d'etre for these differences, viz., molecular biology and genome
differentiation. The morphology, biochemistry and behavior of the
various neurons are functions of which genes have been expressed,
and which genes repressed, during their development.
To achieve a highly effective simulation of the mind is surely not a
simple matter--as Dr. Lehar has suggested--but it is doable.
------------------------------
Subject: neural clocks
From: edstrom%UNCAEDU.bitnet@ugw.utcs.utoronto.ca
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 90 14:36:53 -0400
two other references:
"The Functional Organization of the Olivo-Cerebellar System as Examined
by Multiple Purkinje Cell Recordings.", Llinas, R and Sasaki, K, 1989,
Europ. J. Neurosci, vol 1, pp 587-602
"Multiple Purkinje Cell Recording in Rodent Cerebellar Cortex.", Sasaki,
K, Bower, JM and Llinas, R, 1989, Europ. J. Neurosci., vol 1, pp 572-586
They discuss the 10 Hz rhythmicity with respect to motor control, tremor and
such things.
John Edstrom
------------------------------
Subject: Summer Workshop on Biological Neural Systems, Berkeley, July 1990
From: neural@bistro.berkeley.edu (Neural System Conference)
Organization: U.C. Berkeley, NASA Ames, Lawrence Livermore
Date: 20 Apr 90 20:08:27 +0000
* * * Summer 1990 Workshop/Conference Announcement * * *
Title: Analysis and Modeling of Neural Systems
Location: Clark Kerr Campus, Berkeley CA
Dates: July 25-27, 1990 (Wed-Fri, 3 full days)
Sponsors: Institute for Scientific Computing Research, LLNL;
NASA Ames Research Center; University of California at Berkeley
Poster abstract submission deadline: May 15th, 1990
This workshop will focus on quantitative analyses of results from
recent neurophysiologic investigations into the structure and operation
of nerve cells and systems. Twenty two invited speakers will provide
reviews of their respective fields and summaries of their own recent
research. There will be no parallel sessions and the workshop will be
structured to stimulate and facilitate the active involvement of all
attendees. Although oral presentations will be limited to the invited
speakers, contributions are solicited for poster sessions. Presentations
are welcome in areas including subcellular systems, cellular systems,
multi-cellular systems, and tools and techniques.
Meeting Coordinator:
Terry Contreras
Lawrence Livermore Natl. Lab.
P.O. Box 808, Mailstop L-426
Livermore, CA 94550 USA
(415) 422-7132 FAX (415) 423-4980
Electronic Mail:
Curt Deno
neural@robotics.berkeley.edu, ucbvax!robotics!neural, or
neural%robotics@ucbvax.bitnet
Organizing and Program Committee:
D. Curtis Deno U.C. Berkeley and Smith Kettlewell Eye Res. Inst.
Frank H. Eeckman Lawrence Livermore Natl. Laboratory
Edwin R. Lewis U.C. Berkeley
John P. Miller U.C. Berkeley
Muriel D. Ross NASA Ames Res. Center
Nora G. Smiriga Lawrence Livermore Natl. Laboratory
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE Preliminary Program
Tuesday, July 24th, 1990
5:00 - 7:00 PM Registration Center Open
6:00 PM Opening Reception
Wednesday, July 25th, 1990
7:30 - 3:00 PM Registration Center Open
8:00 - 10:00 AM NEURAL CODING
speakers: G.Gerstein, M.Wilson, M.Meister
10:00 - 10:30 AM Coffee Break
10:30 - 12:30 PM CELLULAR AND DENDRITIC MODELING
speakers: W.Rall, J.Rinzel, E.Kairiss
12:30 - 2:00 PM Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 PM SUBCELLULAR SYSTEMS
speaker: P.Adams
3:00 - 5:00 PM POSTER SESSIONS
Thursday, July 26th, 1990
7:30 - 3:30 PM Registration Center Open
8:00 - 10:00 AM MOTOR SYSTEMS
speakers: N.Hogan, S.Giszter, J.Houk
10:00 - 10:30 AM Coffee Break
10:30 - 12:30 PM CENTRAL PATTERN GENERATORS
speakers: A.Cohen, T.Williams, F.Nagy
12:30 - 2:00 PM Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 PM OSCILLATIONS IN CORTICAL SYSTEMS
speaker: C.Gray
3:00 - 5:00 PM POSTER SESSIONS
5:30 PM Bus ride to the San Francisco Exploratorium
6:30 PM Dinner at the Exploratorium, access to exhibits
speaker: S.Dreyfus
Friday, July 27th, 1990
7:30 - 12:00 PM Registration Center Open
8:00 - 10:00 AM SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE
speakers: D.VanEssen, P.Sterling, H.Orbach
10:00 - 10:30 AM Coffee break
10:30 - 12:30 PM Lunch
2:00 - 4:00 PM PSYCHOPHYSICS
speakers: C.Wehrhahn, N.Franceschini
4:00 - 6:00 PM POSTER SESSIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION FORM
Mail or fax copy to Meeting Coordinator. Your Name and Affiliation
will appear on your badge, so please print clearly.
Name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Country:
Telephone:
e-mail address:
fax number:
Are you submitting a poster?
Poster Title and Section (Neural Coding, etc.):
Fees: Regular $175
Full Time Student* $125
Extra Banquet Tickets $50
Make payable to U.C. Regents (check or money order in U.S. $ only)
Total payment enclosed:
Please Return to:
Terry Contreras, Meeting Coordinator
P.O. Box 808, L-426
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Livermore, CA 94550 USA
(415) 422-7132
or fax to (415) 423-4980
* Note: Students who submit a poster will be considered for a partial
reimbursement of fees.
All attendees are encouraged to submit a poster. The focus of this
workshop is on biological neural systems and network models. Topics
include: subcellular systems, cellular systems, multi-cellular systems,
and tools and techniques.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Fees Include:
admission to meeting workshops and poster sessions
evening reception on Tuesday night
coffee and donuts during the breaks
three group lunches at the meeting facilities
banquet at the San Francisco Exploratorium
round trip travel from the meeting facilities to the Exploratorium
Cancellation Policy:
The registration fees will be refunded upon receipt of a written request
postmarked before July 1, 1990. After this date NO refund will be made.
Registrants who do not attend and who do not cancel in writing before
July 1st, 1990, are liable for the full amount of the registration fee.
You must obtain a cancellation number from our meeting coordinator to
make the cancellation valid.
Registration:
Registration is limited to 300 attendees. Complete the registration form
and mail or fax to the Meeting Coordinator. Send payment by mail. You
are registered upon receipt of payment. To register on site (on space
available basis) please register at the Kerr Center on Tuesday, July 24th
1990 from 5-7 PM.
Housing and Hotels:
A list of nearby hotels is available from our meeting coordinator.
Single and double rooms on the Kerr Campus site are available for $34
(single) and $42 (double) per night.
Location:
The Clark Kerr Campus is located near the south-east corner of the U.C.
Berkeley main campus. It is within walking distance (5-10 minutes) from
the center of the UCB campus.
Transportation:
Berkeley can be reached via the Oakland International Airport (OAK, about
25-35 minutes by car) and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO,
about 40-50 minutes by car). There is a mini-van shuttle from SFO to the
Berkeley Durant Hotel (about $15; the Durant Hotel is within 5 minutes
walking distance from the Clark Kerr Campus). There is a BART subway
connection (AIR-BART) from OAK to downtown Berkeley (stop: BERKELEY).
The BART stop is within 20 minutes walking distance from the Clark Kerr
Campus. Several limo and door-to-door van services are available at both
airports. Both airports have extensive car rental facilities.
Weather:
Bay area weather in July is expected to be very pleasant. Day time
temperatures of 70-85 F (20-30 C). No rain is expected. It often is
chilly at night and in the early morning hours. San Francisco tends to
be more windy and cooler than Berkeley.
------------------------------
Subject: 2nd Annual NEURAL NETWORKS FOR DEFENSE Conference -- 6/16, San Diego, CA
From: "Neuron Digest Moderator - Peter Marvit" <neuron-request@hplabs.hpl.hp.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 90 13:44:27 -0700
The person who sent this in requested that interested participants
contact *only* the person listed at the end of the message and so asked
me to strip his/her name from the header to avoid inappropriate requests.
-Peter
------- Forwarded Message
Program and Registration information for:
The Second Annual Conference on
NEURAL NETWORKS FOR DEFENSE
Conference Chair: Prof. Bernard Widrow
June 16th, 1990: ** The day before IJCNN **
San Diego Marriot, San Diego, CA
"Neural Networks for Defense" is organized to encourage and promote
the transfer of neural network technology to practical defense-
oriented applications. In particular the meeting is designed to:
(1). Increase awareness of ongoing and previous defense-oriented
neural network R&D; (2). Ensure that members of the defense
industry are aware of current critical U.S. military and security
needs which may be addressable by neural network technology, (3).
Increase awareness of the full range of government agencies
involved in neural network R&D and funding; (4). Promote personal
interaction and possible cooperative and collaborative arrangements
among diverse industry, military, and academic groups; (5). Encourage
and facilitate the transfer of basic (6.1) research in computing
with neural networks to applied (6.2 and above) applications.
Last year's meeting (just prior to IJCNN in Washington, DC) was
attended by over 160 research scientists and R&D managers from
industry, government, & academia.
PROGRAM (June 16th, 1990):
==========================
MORNING:__________________________________________________________________
8:15am-8:45am
Mark A. Gluck (Stanford University):
"Opening remarks"
Robert Kolesar (Deputy Director for Adv. Technology, Naval Ocean Systems
Center)
"Defense funding of neural networks:
A programmatic overview of 6.1 -> 6.3 efforts"
8:45-10:30 PANEL SYMPOSIUM: INTERNAL DOD LABORATORIES______________________
Steven Speidel (Naval Ocean Systems Center)
"A neural target locator"
Steven Anderson (Captain, USAF; Air Force Weapons Laboratory, KAFB,NM)
"Neural networks for signal processing and pattern recognition"
Steven K. Rogers (Major, USAF; Air Force Institute of Technology, WPAFB, OH)
"Artificial Neural Networks for Automatic Target Recognition"
David Andes (Director of Neural Network R&D, Naval Weapons Center, China Lake)
"Artificial neural computing at the Naval Weapons Center"
10:30-11:00am COFFEE BREAK
11:00-12:30 PANEL SYMPOSIUM: SBIR SUPPORT OF NN R&D:_________________________
Craig Will (Editor, Neural Network Review)
"An overview of neural network research in the SBIR program"
Vincent D. Schaper (Navy SBIR Manager)
"The DoD SBIR program"
Doyce Satterfield (Chief, Processing Technology, US Army Strategic Defense Command)
"U.S. Army Strategic Defense Commands' SBIR Neural Network Programs"
Robert L. Dawes (President, Martingale Research Corporation)
"Observations on the SBIR program by a successful participant"
James Johnson (Regional Vice President, Netrologic)
"SBIRs: A contractor and government perspective"
12:30-2:00 AFTER-LUNCH SPEAKER: Bernard Widrow (Stanford University)
2:00-4:00
2:00-4:00 SESSION: PROGRESS IN DEFENSE APPLICATONS:__________________________
Edward Rosenfeld (Intelligence Newsletter)
"Overview of Industry efforts in Neural Networks for Defense"
David Hamilton (Senior Development Engineer, Raytheon Submarine Signal Div.)
"Neural Network Defense Applications within Raytheon"
Robert North (President, HNC, Inc.)
"Neural Network Defense Applications at HNC"
Rich Peer (Senior Manager, McDonnel Douglas)
"Neural Network Applications at McDonnell Douglas"
Donald F. Specht (Senior Scientist, Lockheed Research Laboratory)
"Hardware Implementation of Neural Networks"
.......... plus others to be announced later.
4:00-4:30 -- COFFEE BREAK
4:30-5:30 PANEL SYMPOSIUM: FORGING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND
FOR ADVANCED APPLICATIONS OF NN FOR DEFENSE_______________________
Thomas McKenna (Scientific Officer, Office of Naval Research"
"Navy Transition Paths from Basic to Applied Research"
James Anderson (Prof. of Cognitive Science, Brown University)
"Highs and lows: A case study"
Terrence Sejnowski (Institute for Neural Computation, UC, San Diego/Salk Institute)
"Case history of a successful university-industry cooperative venture"
REGISTRATION:
=============
This meeting is UNCLASSIFIED but limited to those with an
explicit "need-to-know" and a clear professional commitment to the
defense and security interests of the United States.
***** ATTENDANCE IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO U.S. CITIZENS ONLY. *********
NOTE: Special Registration Fee Discounts for DoD Employees &
University Scientists working on DoD 6.1 Research
For further information, or to register, contact:
-------------------------------------------------
Lynne Mariani, Registration Coordinator
Neural Networks for Defense
500 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 995-2471
FAX: (415) 995-2494
------------------------------
Subject: Research Fellow - Computational modelling of cognitive systems
From: aarons@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Aaron Sloman)
Organization: School of Cognitive & Computing Sciences, Sussex Univ. UK
Date: 21 Apr 90 11:41:15 +0000
PLEASE DO NOT USE "REPLY" - RETURN ADDRESS FOLLOWS
Applications are invited for a cognitive scientist to work with Prof Tim
Shallice and Dr John Fox on a Cognitive Science/HCI funded project on the
development and application of metalevel programming techniques to the
modelling of psychological theories of human cognition.
The post will be held in the Psychology Dept, University College London.
Candidates should have a programming background and research experience
in cognitive or computer science. AI/modelling experience would be a
considerable advantage.
Salary:
Research staff grade 1A (10,458-14,703 pounds plus 1650 London allowance).
(Currently under review)
CV and the names of two referees should be sent to
Prof T. Shallice/Dr J Fox,
Psychology Dept,
University College
London, Gower St.,
London WC1E 6BT
England
Email enquiries (not applications):
j_fox@icrf.ac.uk or j_fox%icrf.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
Closing date for applications is 15 June 1990
FURTHER DETAILS FOLLOW
Computational modelling of cognitive systems
Tim Shallice of Psychology Dept. University College London and John Fox
of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund have received funding from the Joint
Research Countil Initiative on Cognitive Science/HCI for work on building
computational models of cognition. The project is for three years and
involves the participation of Phil Barnard (APU), John Morton (CDU) and
Aaron Sloman (U Sussex).
The principal aim of the project is to develop a procedure for simulating
cognitive theories using novel programming techniques derived from
biomedical AI research. The theories to which the procedure will
originally be applied are ones developed by the participants. We are
seeking an experienced research worker to take day to day responsibility
for the project.
Background of the project
1. Although Artificial Intelligence has had a major impact on cognitive
theory in recent years, AI modelling frequently fails to reflect the
details of current psychological knowledge. AI techniques, furthermore,
can be relatively inaccessible to the cognitive science community.
2. Psychological theories of cognitive processes on the other hand,
while attempting to capture specific empirical observations and phenomena
tend to use vague informal descriptions whose implications are difficult
to assess rigorously.
3. Recent development of metalevel programming techniques have yielded
an "executable specification language" called Sceptic which appears well
suited to implementing a wide range of psychological theories in a
well-defined way but one which is much more transparent than most current
simulations.
The overall goal of the project is to investigate the potential
application of the approach to a number of specific cognitive models, in
collaboration with a number of prominent UK theorists. The consortium is
particularly interested in the work of the SOAR group in the USA, and
Paul Rosenbloom (ISI), one of the Group's principals has also agreed to
collaborate. SOAR represents the most advanced symbol-processing
simulation of a cognitive theory that exists. It therefore presents an
important test-case for the potential capacities of Sceptic.
The work will involve far more than merely coding existing theoretical
proposals. First the language needs to be refined. More critically the
nature of most psychological theories and in particular their relative
looseness means that there will probably be many ways in which aspects of
a particular model can be implemented. Which is the best choice will
depend not only on the characteristics of Sceptic but also the intuitions
that a particular psychological concept is trying to capture and also
potentially empirical findings. For the simulations to be successful the
appointee will need to work collaboratively with the participants to
refine their theoretical specifications In addition, after an initial
first year it is intended that a professional programmer will be
recruited to assist in the details of the implementation. Two visits to
ISI to work with Dr. Rosenbloom will also be made during the course of
the project.
Computing and other facilities.
The Psychology Dept is currently equipped with a network of personal
computers, but project funding has been earmarked for new equipment and
the possibility of standardising the consortium's work on Unix (Sun)
workstations is being actively considered. The Psychology Department
currently holds three modelling grants in addition to the present one so
there will be excellent opportunities for the successful applicant to
interact with other active AI workers. In addition there are good links
with University College's Department of Computer Science, where a wide
range of advanced computing facilities and research projects exist.
Qualifications and profile
We are seeking a cognitive scientist who has a programming background and
research experience. AI/modelling experience would be a considerable
advantage.
------------------------------
Subject: BBS Call for Commentators: Dynamic Programming/Optimization
From: Stevan Harnad <harnad@clarity.Princeton.EDU>
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 90 20:49:13 -0400
Below is the abstract of a forthcoming target article to appear in
Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), an international, interdisciplinary
journal providing Open Peer Commentary on important and controversial
current research in the biobehavioral and cognitive sciences. To be
considered as a commentator or to suggest other appropriate commentators,
please send email to:
harnad@clarity.princeton.edu or write to:
BBS, 20 Nassau Street, #240, Princeton NJ 08542 [tel: 609-921-7771]
Please specify the aspect of the article that you are qualified and
interested to comment upon. If you are not a current BBS Associate,
please send your CV and/or the name of a current Associate who would be
prepared to nominate you.
____________________________________________________________________
Modeling Behavioral Adaptations
Colin W. Clark
Institute of Applied Mathematics
University of British Columbia
Vancouver BC V6T 1Y4
Canada
Keywords: Dynamic programming; optimization; control theory; game
theory; behavioral ecology; evolution; adaptation; fitness.
ABSTRACT: The behavioral landscape for any individual organism is a
complex dynamical system consisting of the individual's own physiological
and mental states and the state of the physical and biological
environment in which it lives. To understand the adaptive significance of
behavioral traits one must formulate, analyse and test simplified models
of this complex landscape. The target article describes a technique of
dynamic behavioral modeling with many desirable characteristics. There is
an explicit treatment of state variables and their dynamics. Darwinian
fitness is represented directly in terms of survival and reproduction.
Behavioral decisions are modeled simultaneously and sequentially with
biologically meaningful parameters and variables, generating empirically
testable predictions. The technique has been applied to field and
laboratory data in a wide variety of species and behaviors. Some
limitations result from the unwieldiness of large-scale dynamic models in
parameter estimation and numerical computation. (This article is a
follow-up to a previous BBS paper by Houston & Macnamara, but it can be
read independently.)
------------------------------
Subject: Neuropsychology of Schizophrenia: BBS Call for Commentators
From: harnad@clarity.Princeton.EDU (Stevan Harnad)
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 90 20:53:25 -0400
Below is the abstract of a forthcoming target article to appear in
Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), an international,
interdisciplinary journal providing Open Peer Commentary on important
and controversial current research in the biobehavioral and cognitive
sciences. To be considered as a commentator or to suggest other appropriate
commentators, please send email to:
harnad@clarity.princeton.edu or write to:
BBS, 20 Nassau Street, #240, Princeton NJ 08542 [tel: 609-921-7771]
Please specify the aspect of the article that you are qualified and
interested to comment upon. If you are not a current BBS Associate,
please send your CV and/or the name of a current Associate who would be
prepared to nominate you.
____________________________________________________________________
The Neuropsychology of Schizophrenia
J Gray,* J. Feldon,** JNP Rawlins,*** DR Helmsley* & AD Smith****
*Institute of Psychiatary, London
** Psychology, Tel Aviv University
*** Psychology, University of Oxford
**** Pharmacology, University of Oxford
A model is proposed for integrating the neural and cognitive aspects of
the positive symptoms of acute schizophrenia using evidence from:
postmortem neuropathology and neurochemistry, clinical and preclinical
studies of dopaminergic neurotransmission, anatomical connections between
the limbic system and the basal ganglia, attentional and other cognitive
abnormalities underlying the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, specific
animal models of some of these abnormalities, and previous attempts to
model the cognitive functions of the spetohippocampal system and the
motor functions of the basal ganglia. Anatomically, the model emphasises
the projections from the septohippocampal system, via the subiculum and
the amygdala to nucleus accumbens and their interaction with the
ascending dopaminergic projection to the accumbens. Psychologically, the
model emphasizes a failure in schizophrenia to integrate stored memories
of past regularieties of perceptual input with ongoing motor programs in
the control of current perception. A number of recent experiments that
offer support for the model are fully described, including anatomical
studies of limbic-striatal connections, studies in the rat of the effects
of damage to these connections and of the effects of amphetamine and
neuroleptics on the partial reinforcement extinction effect, latent
inhibition and the Kamin blocking effect, and studies of the latter two
phenomena in acuate and chronic schizophrenics.
------------------------------
End of Neuron Digest [Volume 6 Issue 28]
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