HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Seth, A. K. Articles by Edelman, G. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Seth, A. K. Articles by Edelman, G. M.

Distinguishing Causal Interactions in Neural Populations

A.K.Seth{at}sussex.ac.uk

Gerald M. Edelman

edelman{at}nsi.edu The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA 92121, U.S.A.

We describe a theoretical network analysis that can distinguish statistically causal interactions in population neural activity leading to a specific output. We introduce the concept of a causal core to refer to the set of neuronal interactions that are causally significant for the output, as assessed by Granger causality. Because our approach requires extensive knowledge of neuronal connectivity and dynamics, an illustrative example is provided by analysis of Darwin X, a brain-based device that allows precise recording of the activity of neuronal units during behavior. In Darwin X, a simulated neuronal model of the hippocampus and surrounding cortical areas supports learning of a spatial navigation task in a real environment. Analysis of Darwin X reveals that large repertoires of neuronal interactions contain comparatively small causal cores and that these causal cores become smaller during learning, a finding that may reflect the selection of specific causal pathways from diverse neuronal repertoires.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Gunay, J. R. Edgerton, and D. Jaeger Channel Density Distributions Explain Spiking Variability in the Globus Pallidus: A Combined Physiology and Computer Simulation Database Approach J. Neurosci., July 23, 2008; 28(30): 7476 - 7491. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]