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Voges N, Lima V, Hausmann J, Brovelli A, Battaglia D. Decomposing Neural Circuit Function into Information Processing Primitives. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0157232023. [PMID: 38050070 PMCID: PMC10866194 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0157-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is challenging to measure how specific aspects of coordinated neural dynamics translate into operations of information processing and, ultimately, cognitive functions. An obstacle is that simple circuit mechanisms-such as self-sustained or propagating activity and nonlinear summation of inputs-do not directly give rise to high-level functions. Nevertheless, they already implement simple the information carried by neural activity. Here, we propose that distinct functions, such as stimulus representation, working memory, or selective attention, stem from different combinations and types of low-level manipulations of information or information processing primitives. To test this hypothesis, we combine approaches from information theory with simulations of multi-scale neural circuits involving interacting brain regions that emulate well-defined cognitive functions. Specifically, we track the information dynamics emergent from patterns of neural dynamics, using quantitative metrics to detect where and when information is actively buffered, transferred or nonlinearly merged, as possible modes of low-level processing (storage, transfer and modification). We find that neuronal subsets maintaining representations in working memory or performing attentional gain modulation are signaled by their boosted involvement in operations of information storage or modification, respectively. Thus, information dynamic metrics, beyond detecting which network units participate in cognitive processing, also promise to specify how and when they do it, that is, through which type of primitive computation, a capability that may be exploited for the analysis of experimental recordings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Voges
- Institut de Neurosciences de La Timone, UMR 7289, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
- Institute for Language, Communication and the Brain (ILCB), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Vinicius Lima
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), UMR 1106, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Johannes Hausmann
- R&D Department, Hyland Switzerland Sarl, Corcelles NE 2035, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Brovelli
- Institut de Neurosciences de La Timone, UMR 7289, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
- Institute for Language, Communication and the Brain (ILCB), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Demian Battaglia
- Institute for Language, Communication and the Brain (ILCB), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), UMR 1106, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13005, France
- University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Studies (USIAS), Strasbourg 67000, France
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Saban W, Pinheiro-Chagas P, Borra S, Ivry RB. Distinct Contributions of the Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia to Arithmetic Procedures. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1482222023. [PMID: 37973376 PMCID: PMC10866191 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1482-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans exhibit complex mathematical skills attributed to the exceptional enlargement of neocortical regions throughout evolution. In the current work, we initiated a novel exploration of the ancient subcortical neural network essential for mathematical cognition. Using a neuropsychological approach, we report that degeneration of two subcortical structures, the cerebellum and basal ganglia, impairs performance in symbolic arithmetic. We identify distinct computational impairments in male and female participants with cerebellar degeneration (CD) or Parkinson's disease (PD). The CD group exhibited a disproportionate cost when the arithmetic sum increased, suggesting that the cerebellum is critical for iterative procedures required for calculations. The PD group showed a disproportionate cost for equations with increasing addends, suggesting that the basal ganglia are critical for chaining multiple operations. In Experiment 2, the two patient groups exhibited intact practice gains for repeated equations at odds with an alternative hypothesis that these impairments were related to memory retrieval. Notably, we discuss how the counting and chaining operations relate to cerebellar and basal ganglia function in other task domains (e.g., motor processes). Overall, we provide a novel perspective on how the cerebellum and basal ganglia contribute to symbolic arithmetic. Our studies demonstrate the constraints on the computational role of two subcortical regions in higher cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Saban
- Center for Accessible Neuropsychology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Pedro Pinheiro-Chagas
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Sravya Borra
- Center for Accessible Neuropsychology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Richard B Ivry
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1650
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Binoy S, Montaser-Kouhsari L, Ponger P, Saban W. Remote assessment of cognition in Parkinson's disease and Cerebellar Ataxia: the MoCA test in English and Hebrew. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 17:1325215. [PMID: 38259338 PMCID: PMC10800372 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1325215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need for accessible neuropsychological testing for basic research and translational studies worldwide. Traditional in-person neuropsychological studies are inherently difficult to conduct because testing requires the recruitment and participation of individuals with neurological conditions. Consequently, studies are often based on small sample sizes, are highly time-consuming, and lack diversity. To address these challenges, in the last decade, the utilization of remote testing platforms has demonstrated promising results regarding the feasibility and efficiency of collecting patient data online. Herein, we tested the validity and generalizability of remote administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. We administered the MoCA to English and Hebrew speakers from three different populations: Parkinson's disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, and healthy controls via video conferencing. First, we found that the online MoCA scores do not differ from traditional in-person studies, demonstrating convergent validity. Second, the MoCA scores of both our online patient groups were lower than controls, demonstrating construct validity. Third, we did not find differences between the two language versions of the remote MoCA, supporting its generalizability to different languages and the efficiency of collecting binational data (USA and Israel). Given these results, future studies can utilize the remote MoCA, and potentially other remote neuropsychological tests to collect data more efficiently across multiple different patient populations, language versions, and nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Binoy
- Center for Accessible Neuropsychology and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Leila Montaser-Kouhsari
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Penina Ponger
- Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - William Saban
- Center for Accessible Neuropsychology and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Saban W, Gabay S. Contributions of Lower Structures to Higher Cognition: Towards a Dynamic Network Model. J Intell 2023; 11:121. [PMID: 37367523 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence11060121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers often attribute higher cognition to the enlargement of cortical regions throughout evolution, reflecting the belief that humans sit at the top of the cognitive pyramid. Implicitly, this approach assumes that the subcortex is of secondary importance for higher-order cognition. While it is now recognized that subcortical regions can be involved in various cognitive domains, it remains unclear how they contribute to computations essential for higher-level cognitive processes such as endogenous attention and numerical cognition. Herein, we identify three models of subcortical-cortical relations in these cognitive processes: (i) subcortical regions are not involved in higher cognition; (ii) subcortical computations support elemental forms of higher cognition mainly in species without a developed cortex; and (iii) higher cognition depends on a whole-brain dynamic network, requiring integrated cortical and subcortical computations. Based on evolutionary theories and recent data, we propose the SEED hypothesis: the Subcortex is Essential for the Early Development of higher cognition. According to the five principles of the SEED hypothesis, subcortical computations are essential for the emergence of cognitive abilities that enable organisms to adapt to an ever-changing environment. We examine the implications of the SEED hypothesis from a multidisciplinary perspective to understand how the subcortex contributes to various forms of higher cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Saban
- Center for Accessible Neuropsychology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shai Gabay
- Department of Psychology, the Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Knöllner A, Memmert D, von Lehe M, Jungilligens J, Scharfen HE. Specific relations of visual skills and executive functions in elite soccer players. Front Psychol 2022; 13:960092. [PMID: 36092125 PMCID: PMC9454603 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.960092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual and cognitive skills are key to successful functioning in highly demanding settings such as elite sports. However, their mutual influence and interdependencies are not sufficiently understood yet. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between visual skills and executive functions in elite soccer players. Fifty-nine male elite soccer players (age: 18–34 years) performed tests assessing visual clarity (left-, right-, and both eyes), contrast sensitivity, near-far quickness, and hand-eye coordination. Executive function measures included working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, inhibition and selective attention. Overall, visual abilities were largely correlated with executive functions. Near-far quickness performance showed a large correlation with an executive function total score as well as with cognitive flexibility, working memory, and especially selective attention. Visual clarity and contrast sensitivity were moderately correlated with the cognition total score. Most consistent correlations with the visual functions were present for working memory. These findings present an overall vision-cognition relationship but also very specific linkages among subcategories of these functions, especially meaningful relations between near-far quickness, selective attention and cognitive flexibility. Further studies are needed to investigate the neuropsychological mechanisms accounting for the correlations and possible improvements of the executive functions by training specific visual skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Knöllner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Neuruppin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Antonia Knöllner,
| | - Daniel Memmert
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marec von Lehe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hans-Erik Scharfen
- Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Neurocognition and Performance Lab, SV Werder Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Saban W, Sklar AY, Hassin RR, Gabay S. Ancient visual channels have a causal role in arithmetic calculations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22795. [PMID: 34815496 PMCID: PMC8610989 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans exhibit complex arithmetic skills, often attributed to our exceptionally large neocortex. However, the past decade has provided ample evidence that the functional domain of the subcortex extends well beyond basic functions. Using a sensitive behavioral method, for the first time, we explored the contributions of lower-order visual monocular channels to symbolic arithmetic operations, addition and subtraction. The pattern of results from 4 different experiments provides converging evidence for a causal relation between mental arithmetic and primitive subcortical regions. The results have major implications for our understanding of the neuroevolutionary development of general numerical abilities–subcortical regions, which are shared across different species, are essential to complex numerical operations. In a bigger conceptual framework, these findings and others call for a shift from the modal view of the exclusive role of the neocortex in high-level cognition to a view that emphasizes the interplay between subcortical and cortical brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Saban
- Department of Psychology and the Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. .,Department of Psychology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Asael Y Sklar
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ran R Hassin
- Department of Psychology, and the Center for the Study of Rationality, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shai Gabay
- Department of Psychology and the Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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