Hierarchical Neural Circuit Theory of Normalization and Inter-areal Communication.

ABSTRACT: The primate brain exhibits a hierarchical, modular architecture with conserved microcircuits executing canonical computations across reciprocally connected cortical areas. Though feedback connections are ubiquitous, their functions remain largely unknown. To investigate the role of feedback, we present a hierarchical neural circuit theory with feedback connections that dynamically implements divisive normalization across its hierarchy. In a two-stage instantiation (V1 ↔ V2), increasing feedback from V2 to V1 amplifies responses in both areas, more so in the higher cortical area, consistent with experiments. We analytically derive power spectra (V1) and coherence spectra (V1-V2), and validate them against experimental observations: peaks in both spectra shift to higher frequencies

SUBMITTER: Pal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12338607 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature