title: Copying and evolution of neuronal topology.
abstract: We propose a mechanism for copying of neuronal networks that is of considerable interest for neuroscience for it suggests a neuronal basis for causal inference, function copying, and natural selection within the human brain. To date, no model of neuronal topology copying exists. We present three increasingly sophisticated mechanisms to demonstrate how topographic map formation coupled with Spike-Time Dependent Plasticity (STDP) can copy neuronal topology motifs. Fidelity is improved by error correction and activity-reverberation limitation. The high-fidelity topology-copying operator is used to evolve neuronal topologies. Possible roles for neuronal natural selection are discussed.
authors.affiliation: MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chrisantha
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Karishma
authors.forename: Eörs
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szathmáry
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000465:Algorithms; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009154:Mutation; D009415:Nerve Net; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors