A computational model for the primate neocortex based on its functional architecture

Experimental evidence has shown that the primate neocortex consists in the main of a set of cortical regions which form a perception hierarchy, an action hierarchy and connections between them. By using a computer science analysis, we develop a computational architecture for the brain in which each cortical region is represented by a computational module with processing and storage abilities. Modules are interconnected according to the connectivity of the corresponding cortical regions. We develop computational principles for designing such a hierarchical and parallel computing system. We demonstrate this approach by proposing a causal functioning model of the brain. We report on results obtained with an implementation of this model. We conclude with a brief discussion of some consequences and predictions of our work. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.