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Cortical folding – A new theory (Meta layer)
I’d always believed that the sulcus (folds) in the human cortex were purposeful constructs rather than wrinkles, the two hemispheres of the brain effectively touching has always made me wonder what information exchanges were possible. Currently, it is believed that the folding is due the expansion of the human cortex which in turn has necessitated folds to fit into the enclosed space. This is perfectly logical but you can see other mammals with small and large brains that bear the same folding aspects; almost as though the folding was independent of cavity size. So, if the sulcus could be independent of skull cavity size then what could be the theory? Well, what if surface regions of the brain were attracted to other surface regions of the brain? If we follow the reasoning of some other intelligence theories we can note that high order summation occurs as information is passed through the 6 layers to the surface of the cortex. So, what if surface (A) being in close proximity to surface (B) allowed another level of intelligence by allowing a contrast and comparison of independent summaries to be undertaken? This could be zero sum checks "similarities" in areas such as primary sensory motor areas with higher cognitive development areas focusing on "differences" for additional analysis. In the last paragraph I am inferring that of distributive (local) assessments with a method that is akin to the card game "snap" where combinations of summaries are set against each other for assessment, feedback and response. Given that 60% of the cortex is in "folds" then this would give the brain a massive permutational increase at higher information summary levels for no additional increase in volume or surface area. Quite possibly the emergence of Meta/global type summaries. The issue then becomes to either prove or disprove a major aspect of this theory. Quite difficult as current theory of increased cortical mass is correlated to the creation of sulcus’s. However, the original theory should be more prone to specific regionalisation within a gyrus (ridge) (As the axons in a higher cortical growth area should be creating that gyrus and sulcus) whereas mutual attraction should be trying to create a mirror image by creating a sulcus in a regionalised area. Although, if electrical activity could be seen acting in tandem on opposite sides of a sulcus that would be a major indicator. Lastly, as Dr. Van Essen (The professor who heads the department of anatomy and neurobiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis) said "A person with an especially large and deeply folded primary visual cortex might be better at visual imagination than a person with a smaller and less complex primary visual cortex. Or, people who are good at certain sports might have inborn neural circuitry -- larger regions and folding patterns in motor cortex -- that gives them an edge". |
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