Oscillatory Event-Related Brain Dynamics, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1994 NATO Science Series A: Series, Vol. 271

How does the brain code and process incoming information, how does it recog­ nize a certain object, how does a certain Gestalt come into our awareness? One of the key issues to conscious realization of an object, of a Gestalt is the attention de­ voted to the corresponding sensory input which evokes the neural pattern underly­ ing the Gestalt. This requires that the attention be devoted to one set of objects at a time. However, the attention may be switched quickly between different objects or ongoing input processes. It is to be expected that such mechanisms are reflected in the neural dynamics: Neurons or neuronal assemblies which pertain to one object may fire, possibly in rapid bursts at a time. Such firing bursts may enhance the synaptic strength in the corresponding cell assembly and thereby form the substrate of short-term memory. However, we may well become aware of two different objects at a time. How can we avoid that the firing patterns which may relate to say a certain type of move­ ment (columns in V5) or to a color (V 4) of one object do not become mixed with those of another object? Such a blend may only happen if the presentation times be­ come very short (below 20-30 ms). One possibility is that neurons pertaining to one cell assembly fire syn­ chronously. Then different cell assemblies firing at different rates may code different information.

A Comparative Survey of Event Related Brain Oscillations; T.H. Bullock, J.Z. Achimowicz. Physiologic and Epileptic Oscillations in a Small Invertebrate Network; U. Altrup, et al. Corticohippocampal Interplay: Synopsis of a Theory; R. Miller. Coherent Assembly Dynamics in the Cortex: Multineuron Recordings, Network Simulations, and Anatomical Considerations; A. Aertsen, et al. Temporal Aspects of Information Processing in Areas V1 and V2 of the Macaque Monkey; L.G. Nowak, et al. Oscillations and Synchrony in the Visual Cortex: Evidence for Their Functional Relevance; P.R. Roelfsema, et al. Oscillatory and Nonoscillatory Synchronizations in the Visual Cortex of Cat and Monkey; R. Eckhorn. Event Related Changes in the 40 Hz Electroencephalogram in Auditory and Visual Reaction Time Tasks; H. Jokeit, et al. Attentional Effects on Image-Motion Related Potentials and Spectral Perturbations; M. Valdes-Sosa, et al. Retinal and Cortical Oscillatory Responses to Patterned and Unpatterned Visual Stimulation in Man; W.G. Sannita. 21 additional articles. Index.