functional role of topographical maps in the brain.
Sensation doesn’t make sense except in reference to an embodied self.
The brain therefore processes information from the environment through
the sensory organs in reference to internal representations of the
sensory world. Encoding the sensory world as maps is efficient, as
map formation effectively groups neurons that most commonly interact
with each other. This organization decreases metabolic costs, reduces
cable length, minimizes long-range connectivity and increases
processing speed without altering conduction velocity. Such a
structural formation functionally reduces information redundancy,
increases channel capacity and enhances information content in neural
signals by eliminating spatially conflicting information while
allowing multiple algorithmic transformation of the sensory
information on the periphery. Despite the intuitive explanatory power
behind maps as a basic functional neural unit and the proposition that
they “underlie the derivation of the computational principles that
govern sensory processing and the generation of perception”, it is
still unknown if the topographic maps of the brain are incidental or
functionally essential to brain organization in health and disease.
This Symposium will brings together world-leading scientists who will
discuss the proposition that topographical organization of the brain
is essential to brain organization from a wide range of theoretical,
analytical and experimental perspectives. Each speaker will give a 30
minute long presentation and contribute to panel discussions at the
end of each of the three thematic sessions: Creating the Maps,
Modifying the Maps, Function of the Maps.
I hope you can join us on March 26, 2010 in the Hedco Neuroscience
Building Auditorium (HNB100) for this day-long event. Please see the
attached flyer for further details on the speakers.
Sincerely,
Tansu
