Neural mechanism for a cognitive timer.
To examine a possible biological mechanism for a cognitive timer, the stochastic dynamics of a network of neurons possessing two stable states ("on" and "off" states) is studied. The fraction of on neurons existing at t = 0 remains large for an extended interval, and then abruptly falls. The distribution of the lengths of the interval is scale invariant in the following sense: The ratio (k root of (mu(k))/m, with m and mu(k) being the mean and the kth central moment, respectively, is invariant under scale transformations of m and mu(k). In the special case k = 2, this gives Weber's law, a hallmark of cognitive timing.
Okamoto
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Corporate Research Center, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., 430 Sakai, Nakai-machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa 259-0157, Japan. hiroshi@fujixerox.co.jp
Fukai
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D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*