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Cited by 355Neural dynamics and brain functionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural Mechanisms

The cortex as a central pattern generator

Yuste, Rafael, MacLean, Jason N., Smith, Jeffrey, Lansner, Anders·2005·Nature Reviews Neuroscience
DOI 10.1038/nrn1686
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Abstract

Vertebrate spinal cord and brainstem central pattern generator (CPG) circuits share profound similarities with neocortical circuits. CPGs can produce meaningful functional output in the absence of sensory inputs. Neocortical circuits could be considered analogous to CPGs as they have rich spontaneous dynamics that, similar to CPGs, are powerfully modulated or engaged by sensory inputs, but can also generate output in their absence. We find compelling evidence for this argument at the anatomical, biophysical, developmental, dynamic and pathological levels of analysis. Although it is possible that cortical circuits are particularly plastic types of CPG ('learning CPGs'), we argue that present knowledge about CPGs is likely to foretell the basic principles of the organization and dynamic function of cortical circuits.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrn1686

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106 of 106 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Yuste and colleagues suggested the wiring diagram of the neocortical network is analogous to pattern generator circuits.

    “Yuste and colleagues recently suggested that the wiring diagram of the neocortical network is analogous to pattern generator circuits [218]”

    From Consensus Paper: Pathological Role of the Cerebellum in Autism (2012) · cites this paper as [218]

  • Even within the cortex, microcircuitry within different areas may be specialized, allowing different cortical areas to adopt qualitatively distinct computational and learning configurations while sharing a common gross physical layout and communication interface.

    “Even within the cortex itself, microcircuitry within different areas may be specialized: tinkered variations on a common ancestral microcircuit scaffold could potentially allow different cortical areas, such as sensory areas vs. prefrontal areas, to be configured to adopt a number of qualitatively distinct computational and learning configurations (Yuste et al., 2005; Marcus et al., 2014a,b), even”

    From Toward an integration of deep learning and neuroscience (2016) · cites this paper as Yuste et al., 2005

  • Central pattern generator circuits provide an example of the kinds of architectures that can be pre-wired into neural microcircuitry, and may have evolutionary relationships with cortical circuits.

    “Central pattern generator circuits provide an example of the kinds of architectures that can be pre-wired into neural microcircuitry, and may have evolutionary relationships with cortical circuits (Yuste et al., 2005).”

    From Toward an integration of deep learning and neuroscience (2016) · cites this paper as Yuste et al., 2005

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Related

Authors
Yuste, R., MacLean, J. N., Smith, J., & Lansner, A.
Affiliations
  • Columbia University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Stockholm University (SE)
Corresponding author
Yuste, Rafael
ORCID
Venue
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2005-06-01
Volume
6
Issue
6
Pages
477-483
ISSN
  • 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-0048
DOI
10.1038/nrn1686
OpenAlex
W1481508412
Cited by
355
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 20
FWCI
1.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
central pattern generator, neocortex, cortical circuits, spinal cord, brainstem, spontaneous activity, cortical plasticity
MeSH terms
Animals, Cerebral Cortex, Humans, Nerve Net

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