Journal
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 375, Issue 1796, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0319
Keywords
visual cortical hierarchy; laminar projection patterns; concerted cortical gradients; spatial temporal scales
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Funding
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [SFB 936/A1, TRR 169/A2, SPP 2041/HI 1286/7-1, HI 1286/6-1]
- Human Brain Project (SGA2)
- Alexander-von-Humboldt-Stiftung
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Concepts shape the interpretation of facts. One of the most popular concepts in systems neuroscience is that of 'hierarchy'. However, this concept has been interpreted in many different ways, which are not well aligned. This observation suggests that the concept is ill defined. Using the example of the organization of the primate visual cortical system, we explore several contexts in which 'hierarchy' is currently used in the description of brain networks. We distinguish at least four different uses, specifically, 'hierarchy' as a topological sequence of projections, as a gradient of features, as a progression of scales, or as a sorting of laminar projection patterns. We discuss the interpretation and functional implications of the different notions of 'hierarchy' in these contexts and suggest that more specific terms than 'hierarchy' should be used for a deeper understanding of the different dimensions of the organization of brain networks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Unifying the essential concepts of biological networks: biological insights and philosophical foundations'.
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