Cortical Mappings
Welcome to the Cortical Mappings Tutorial! As explained in prior tutorials, the biological brain is an intricate network of connections between various functional areas that enables the processing of sensory information and formation of thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Cortical mappings can have different characteristics and properties.
Cortical Mappings in the Brain
Welcome to the Cortical Mappings Tutorial! As explained in prior tutorials, the biological brain is an intricate network of connections between various functional areas that enables the processing of sensory information and formation of thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Cortical mappings can have different characteristics and properties.
Source and Destination Types
While considering the source and destination, can be broken down into two types: 1. Intracortical mappings: where connections are connections are made among neurons within a cortical area 2. Inter-cortical mappings: where connections are formed between two or more cortical areas
Cortical Mapping Definitions
Cortical mappings in FEAGI are inspired by chemical synapses, which can be defined as either excitatory or inhibitory. 1. Excitatory- increases the membrane potential of the target neuron 2. Inhibitory- decreases the membrane potential of the target neuron Each cortical mapping can also assume synaptic plasticity properties enabling it to strengthen or weaken its connectivity strength to the destination. The solid line is non-plastic, the dashed is plastic so the labels should be switched. Plastic- connectivity strength can change over time (could strengthen or weaken) Non-Plastic- connectivity strenghth remains the same over time
How to Establish Connections
FEAGI provides multiple easy to use mechanisms to help establish connections between neurons leveraging the Connectivity Rules discussed in the prior tutorial. Lets review all different methods!
Quick Connector
1. Using the quick connector: When clicking on a cortical area in either 3D monitor or the Circuit Builder, a small tool-bar pops up that contains the Quick Connector (QC) option. Click on QC, select the destination cortical area and choose a connectivity rule from the list. To form intracortical connections simply select the same cortical area as the source and destination.
Circuit Builder
2. Using the Circuit builder: Simply drag the output terminal from the source cortical area and connect it to the input terminal of the destination cortical area Cortical mapping dialogue pops up that can help you select a connectivity rule Adjust the parameters such as excitatory/inhibitory or plasticity parameters as needed.
Cortical Properties
3. Using the Cortical properties panel: Launch the Cortical Properties panel by clicking on the cortical area and selecting the magnifying glass from the pop-up toolbox Expand the Cortical Mappings section Depending on the type of cortical mapping desired you can click on the + icon under the Afferent (Incoming) or Efferent (Outgoing) section. The mapping window shows up where you can select the Connectivity Rule of your choice and adjust mapping parameters
