Competitive Parallel Processing of Millisecond Scale in the Neocortical Circuitry

Cortical processing of the millisecond scale is analyzed with a mathematical model of cortical circuits. First, it is shown that cortical areas composed of columns and their lateral inhibition are capable of detecting timing of synaptic input to the columns in the millisecond range. Second, it is indicated that the cortical circuits may be reinforced by signals of the hypothalamic reward system so that the first actvated columns of every area may lead neuroual activation to correct motor commands. These suggest the whole cortical processing can be completed in a few hundred milliseconds after sufficient learning.