The search for coherence: neural mechanisms that coordinate cognitive functions

Bill Phillips

Abstract. Cognitive neuroscience is dominated by evidence for semantic
specialization. Different regions and different cells within regions
process information about different things. We now need to understand how
these diverse activities are coordinated. Coordination is necessary to
enhance activity relevant to the current context, to combat noise, to make
coherent choices, and to group activity into coherent subsets. The concept
of Coherent Infomax formalizes this perspective within a theory of cortical
computation. I will summarize evidence that coordinating interactions are
implemented by a distinct family of physiological mechanisms that include
synapses formed by NMDA receptors. Psychophysical studies of the effects of
synchronization on dynamic grouping, and of context on visual size
perception will be described. Evidence for the relevance of coordinating
interactions to cognitive style and to cognitive disorganization in
psychosis will be outlined. Finally, I will ask whether any social
interactions involve an analogous search for coherence.