Download Homework 4

Neurobiology of Consciousness
Problem 1
Describe what is neuronal ensemble in your own words.
Homework 4
Problem 2
Stimulate the following cortical areas with a small current and hypothesize on what your patient may perceive:
V1
V2
V4
Temporal lobe
Somatosensory cortex
Primary auditory cortex
Motor cortex
Premotor cortex
ventromedial PFC
lateral PFC
Problem 3
Provide a few examples illustrating the principle “remembering an episode involves literally returning to the
brain state that was present during that episode.” What is the neurological mechanism for this phenomenon?
Problem 4
If “remembering an episode involves literally returning to the brain state that was present during that episode”
then how do you know the difference? Name a few conditions that describe patients who cannot tell the
difference.
Problem 5. You are recording from a cell in the hippocampus. What are your expectations for the specificity of
this cell? classes of objects? abstract concepts? individual objects/people? auditory sequences?
Problem 6. Where are the cells of the neuronal ensemble encoding your favorite cup located in your brain?
How are these cells connected?
What happens when you think of your favorite cup?
Problem 7. You want to forget your ex. Is it possible for a doctor (theoretically speaking) to rid your brain from
the memory of your ex?
Problem 8. You want to forget only the traumatic experience associated with your ex. Is it possible for a doctor
(theoretically speaking) to rid your brain from that negative aspect of memory?
Neurobiology of Consciousness
Homework 4
Problem 9. Is it easier to achieve resonant activation of a neuronal ensemble from the bottom or from the top?
Problem 10. Discuss the special role of the neurons of the “bonding neurons” in the temporal lobe association
cortex at the tip of a neuronal ensemble for a resonant activation of a neuronal ensemble of your favorite cup.
Problem 11. If the PFC is to activate the neuronal ensemble of your favorite cup, do you think it activates it
from the bottom or top?
Problem 12. Once a neuronal ensemble is activated, how many action potentials the neurons are running?
Problem 13. Once a neuronal ensemble is activated, do you always perceive an object?
Problem 14. Once you perceive an object, do you always activate the neuronal ensemble?
Problem 15. Once you perceive an object, do you always activate the complete neuronal ensemble (all the way
to V1)?
Problem 16. How many neurons belong to a neuronal ensemble of your favorite cup on each level: TL, V4, V2,
V1?