Objective
Over the last years much progress has been made in characterizing the different forms of cortical plasticity. Synaptic mechanisms such as spike-timing dependent plasticity and its relation to long-term potentiation and depression are at the focus of current research. Intrinsic plasticity mechanisms, which change the nonlinear properties of individual neurons, have been less well studied in the past but are receiving more attention recently.
While modelling studies have let to an improved understanding of the computational properties of these forms of plasticity, up to now they have only been studies in isolation. We currently simply do not know how these forms of plasticity might interact and what computational properties may arise from such interactions. We have recently argued that these plasticity mechanisms can synergistically interact, giving rise to qualitatively new and very interesting computational and learning properties.
The goal of this proposal is to systematically investigate this exciting issue. We will derive and analyze new models for cortical learning that rely on the synergistic combination of different synaptic and intrinsic plasticity mechanisms. We will study the learning capabilities and dynamics of networks with these plasticity forms thro ugh simulations and theoretical analysis.
The network models will be applied to the problem of receptive field and map formation in lower and higher visual cortical areas. In addition, we will sutdy the role of neuromodulators in the context of models of the emergence of early social interaction skills in human infants. These studies will lead to a better understanding of the way the human brain learns to represent and interact with its environment. This may have profound implications for topics of medial relevance, and may lead to improvement in our ability to build artificial cognitive systems.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine clinical neurology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-8
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.