How Brain-Like Is the Spinal Cord ?

By Uwe Windhorst

"Theorizing about brain functions is often considered slightly disreputable and anyhow a waste of time -perhaps even 'philoso- ical'" 1 P. S. CHURCHLAND At present there are no unanimously accepted general con- cepts of brain operation and function. This is especially the case with regard to so-called "higher" functions such as per- ception, memory or the coupling between sensory input and motor output. There are a number of different reasons for this. Some may be related to experimental limitations allowing the simultaneous recording of the activities of only a restricted number of neurones. But there are also conceptual difficulties hindering the transition from "single-neurone" schemes, in which neurones are assigned relatively specific tasks (such as feature detection), to more complex schemes of nerve cell as- semblies (for a discussion of some of the difficulties see Abeles 1982; von der Malsburg 1981; Kriiger 1983). Whilst much is known about the basic properties and functions of single neu- rones, whose operations we hope to understand in the foresee- able future, this does not hold true in the same way for the working of large assemblies of neurones.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3642511228
• ISBN13: 9783642511226
• Release Date: May 2012
• Publisher: Springer
• Length: 334 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 9.6"