# Neural Computation --- title: Neural Computation type: concept status: stable tags: - computation - neuroscience - information_processing - brain_function - modeling semantic_relations: - type: implements links: [[brain_function]] - type: related links: - [[information_processing]] - [[neural_networks]] - [[cognitive_architecture]] --- ## Overview Neural Computation describes how the brain processes information through its networks of neurons, implementing cognitive functions through distributed parallel processing. This framework bridges neuroscience and computation, explaining how neural circuits perform information processing and learning. ## Core Principles ### Information Processing - [[neural_processing]] - Brain compute - [[signal_processing]] - Message handle - [[encoding]] - Convert info - [[transformation]] - Change info - [[computation_types]] - Process kinds - [[local_computation]] - Near work - [[distributed_computation]] - Spread work ### Network Organization - [[neural_architecture]] - Brain structure - [[circuit_organization]] - Connect how - [[feedforward]] - Forward flow - [[recurrent]] - Loop flow - [[hierarchy_levels]] - Layer order - [[processing_stages]] - Step order - [[abstraction_levels]] - Think level ### Learning Mechanisms - [[neural_learning]] - Brain change - [[synaptic_plasticity]] - Connect change - [[hebbian_learning]] - Fire together - [[error_driven]] - Fix wrong - [[network_adaptation]] - System change - [[weight_updates]] - Strength change - [[architecture_changes]] - Structure change ## Computational Elements ### Neural Units - [[processing_units]] - Brain cells - [[neuron_models]] - Cell math - [[activation_function]] - Fire math - [[threshold_logic]] - When fire - [[population_coding]] - Group code - [[rate_coding]] - How fast - [[temporal_coding]] - When time ### Synaptic Operations - [[connection_compute]] - Link math - [[weight_operations]] - Strong math - [[multiplication]] - Times math - [[integration]] - Add math - [[modulation]] - Change math - [[gating]] - Allow math - [[scaling]] - Size math ### Network Operations - [[circuit_compute]] - Group math - [[pattern_operations]] - Shape math - [[pattern_completion]] - Fill math - [[pattern_separation]] - Split math - [[sequence_operations]] - Order math - [[temporal_integration]] - Time math - [[prediction]] - Next math ## Implementation Mechanisms ### Circuit Dynamics - [[neural_dynamics]] - Change time - [[activity_patterns]] - Fire patterns - [[oscillations]] - Wave patterns - [[synchronization]] - Time match - [[state_transitions]] - Change states - [[attractor_dynamics]] - Stable states - [[trajectory_evolution]] - Path states ### Information Flow - [[signal_flow]] - Message move - [[feedforward_flow]] - Forward send - [[feature_extraction]] - Find things - [[transformation]] - Change things - [[feedback_flow]] - Back send - [[top_down]] - High low - [[prediction_error]] - Wrong mark ### Control Mechanisms - [[neural_control]] - Brain manage - [[gain_control]] - Strength set - [[amplification]] - Make big - [[suppression]] - Make small - [[gating]] - Allow flow - [[selective_routing]] - Path pick - [[inhibitory_control]] - Stop flow ## Computational Functions ### Representation - [[neural_coding]] - Brain code - [[feature_representation]] - Thing code - [[selectivity]] - What pick - [[invariance]] - What same - [[distributed_representation]] - Spread code - [[population_coding]] - Group code - [[sparse_coding]] - Few code ### Transformation - [[neural_transform]] - Change info - [[linear_operations]] - Straight change - [[projection]] - Move data - [[combination]] - Mix data - [[nonlinear_operations]] - Curve change - [[thresholding]] - Cut data - [[normalization]] - Scale data ### Learning - [[computation_learn]] - Get better - [[supervised_learning]] - Guide learn - [[error_correction]] - Fix wrong - [[gradient_descent]] - Down hill - [[unsupervised_learning]] - Self learn - [[hebbian_learning]] - Together strong - [[competitive_learning]] - Win take ## Applications ### Cognitive Models - [[brain_models]] - Think models - [[perception_models]] - See models - [[visual_processing]] - See math - [[auditory_processing]] - Hear math - [[memory_models]] - Remember models - [[storage]] - Keep math - [[retrieval]] - Get math ### Neural Engineering - [[brain_engineering]] - Build brain - [[neural_prosthetics]] - Replace parts - [[sensory_devices]] - Feel help - [[motor_devices]] - Move help - [[brain_interfaces]] - Connect brain - [[recording]] - Watch brain - [[stimulation]] - Wake brain ### Clinical Applications - [[disorder_models]] - Wrong models - [[dysfunction]] - Not work - [[circuit_problems]] - Path wrong - [[dynamic_problems]] - Change wrong - [[intervention]] - Fix try - [[stimulation]] - Wake help - [[modulation]] - Change help ## Research Methods ### Experimental Methods - [[neural_experiments]] - Brain test - [[recording]] - Watch fire - [[single_unit]] - One cell - [[population]] - Many cell - [[manipulation]] - Change brain - [[stimulation]] - Wake parts - [[inactivation]] - Stop parts ### Computational Methods - [[simulation_methods]] - Fake brain - [[network_simulation]] - Copy brain - [[dynamics]] - Change math - [[learning]] - Better math - [[analysis]] - Look math - [[stability]] - Stay math - [[optimization]] - Best math ### Theory Development - [[neural_theory]] - Brain think - [[principles]] - Basic rules - [[computation]] - Work rules - [[organization]] - Build rules - [[predictions]] - Guess what - [[behavior]] - Do what - [[mechanism]] - How what ## Future Directions ### Current Challenges - [[scale_problems]] - Big hard - [[complexity]] - Much hard - [[biological_realism]] - Real match ### Emerging Approaches - [[new_methods]] - New ways - [[large_scale]] - Big look - [[whole_brain]] - All brain - [[long_time]] - Long watch - [[new_theory]] - New think - [[principles]] - New rules - [[frameworks]] - New views ## References - [[dayan_abbott]] - [[hopfield_networks]] - [[rumelhart_parallel]] - [[sejnowski_computational]] ## Related Concepts - [[information_processing]] - [[neural_networks]] - [[cognitive_architecture]] - [[brain_function]] - [[computation]] - [[learning_theory]]