Abstract
Let it be assumed, for the time being, that something like a basic neuronal circuit of the neocortex does indeed exist and that the well known structural and connectivity differences between various cortical regions do not render such a notion a priori meaningless. Under basic neuronal circuit (or circuits) the fundamental neuronal chain(s) is (are) meant that connect(s) the elements of input (afferents) with the elements of output (efferents) of any grey matter under consideration. Such a chain is rarely if ever a linear succession of neurons: (i) The input channels break up often into several parallel lines that finally converge again upon one or several types of output elements; (ii) interneuronal connexions are often established between the points of synaptic articulations of the parallel lines; (iii) these connexions may be established between articulation points (vertices of the network) of the same order (relative to the input elements), i.e., simply cross connexions or (iv) the connexions may be recurrent from articulation points of higher order to those of lower order (often to secure feedback couplings), else (v) they may feed forward from lower order articulations of the chain to vertices of higher order.
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Szentágothai, J. (1972). The Basic Neuronal Circuit of the Neocortex. In: Petsche, H., Brazier, M.A.B. (eds) Synchronization of EEG Activity in Epilepsies. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-8306-9_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-8306-9_2
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