Neuroscience summary lectures
Lecture 1/2 Structural components of the cortex 29 – 08 – 2016
Cortex:
- Sensory perception
- Generation of motor commands
- Spatial reasoning
- In humans: conscious thought and language
Dissecting the cortex in network modules:
- Biochemical pathways
- Distributed regional activity
- Complex cognitive processes
The basic element is the neuron.
There are numerous different classes which have cell type-specific functions and they form very
specific microcircuits. These microcircuits form macrocircuits.
The network modules exist on different scales. The larger network modules are structurally formed by
different neuron classes and their distribution patterns. Structurally defined network modules usually
represent functional network modules. Pathophysiology can affect cortical networks on ALL scales.
Macroscopic scale (cortical areas) mesoscopic scale (networks within an area) microscopic scale
(communication between single neurons).
Macroscopic scale
Different parts of the cortex are involved in different cognitive functions:
- Sensory perception
- Motor control
- Speech
- Recognition
There are three main classes of areas:
Sensory, motor and association areas (bring in together all the information).
Function: an area is activated by the same kind of stimulus or is involved into similar cognitive tasks.
Structure: an area shows a typical anatomical structure (e.g. cytoarchitecture). How the cells are
distributed and aligned to each other.
Knowing the structural aspects of cortical areas is a crucial precondition for correct interpretation of
functional data!
Cytoarchitecture
Nissl-staining stains for neural cell bodies.
• Neuron somata have different sizes
• Neurons show heterogeneous distribution
• Neuron distributionpattern reveals laminar organization of the cortex
• Neocortex of all mammals consists of 6 main layers in general!
Neuron distribution patterns define the local cytoarchitecture. In the white matter the axons leave or
enter the cortex.
Within one area most of the time there are no heterogenous stuctures.
1
Lecture 1/2 Structural components of the cortex 29 – 08 – 2016
Cortex:
- Sensory perception
- Generation of motor commands
- Spatial reasoning
- In humans: conscious thought and language
Dissecting the cortex in network modules:
- Biochemical pathways
- Distributed regional activity
- Complex cognitive processes
The basic element is the neuron.
There are numerous different classes which have cell type-specific functions and they form very
specific microcircuits. These microcircuits form macrocircuits.
The network modules exist on different scales. The larger network modules are structurally formed by
different neuron classes and their distribution patterns. Structurally defined network modules usually
represent functional network modules. Pathophysiology can affect cortical networks on ALL scales.
Macroscopic scale (cortical areas) mesoscopic scale (networks within an area) microscopic scale
(communication between single neurons).
Macroscopic scale
Different parts of the cortex are involved in different cognitive functions:
- Sensory perception
- Motor control
- Speech
- Recognition
There are three main classes of areas:
Sensory, motor and association areas (bring in together all the information).
Function: an area is activated by the same kind of stimulus or is involved into similar cognitive tasks.
Structure: an area shows a typical anatomical structure (e.g. cytoarchitecture). How the cells are
distributed and aligned to each other.
Knowing the structural aspects of cortical areas is a crucial precondition for correct interpretation of
functional data!
Cytoarchitecture
Nissl-staining stains for neural cell bodies.
• Neuron somata have different sizes
• Neurons show heterogeneous distribution
• Neuron distributionpattern reveals laminar organization of the cortex
• Neocortex of all mammals consists of 6 main layers in general!
Neuron distribution patterns define the local cytoarchitecture. In the white matter the axons leave or
enter the cortex.
Within one area most of the time there are no heterogenous stuctures.
1
