Technical Reports available

[SATINDER@cs.umass.EDU]

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Two technical reports are available. Send requests to 
Ms. Connie Smith, Department of Computer and Information Science,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01003.
Or via e-mail to: Smith at cs.umass.EDU. Do not sent requests to
the sender of this message. A postscript version of Technical
Report 89-118 should be available via ftp from cheops.cis.ohio-state.edu
as described by Pollack in previous messages to this bboard.
It is stored as "houk.control.ps.Z" in pub/neuroprose. The extension
".Z" is for the compressed form.

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	An Adaptive Sensorimotor Network Inspired by
	the Anatomy and Physiology of the Cerebellum

			James C. Houk
	           Department of Physiology
          Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611

	Satinder P. Singh, Charles Fisher, Andrew G. Barto
	  Department of Computer and Information Science
 	  University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003

		COINS Technical Report 89-108
			November 1989

Abstract: In this report we review the anatomy and physiology of the
cerebellum, stressing new knowledge about information processing in 
cerebellar circuits, novel biophysical properties of Purkinje neurons
and cellular mechanisms for adjusting synaptic weights. We then explore
the impact of these ideas on designs for adaptive sensorimotor networks.
A network is proposed that is comprised of an array of adjustable
pattern generators. Each pattern generator in the array produces an
element of a composite motor program. Motor programs can be stored,
retrieved and executed using adjustable pattern generator modules.

**********************************************************************

          Cooperative Control of Limb Movements by the
             Motor Cortex, Brainstem and Cerebellum

			James C. Houk
	           Department of Physiology
          Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611

		COINS Technical Report 89-118
			December 1989

Abstract: The model of sensory-motor coordination proposed here 
involves two primary processes that are bound together by positive
feedback loops. One primary process links sensory triggers to
potential movements. While this process may occur at other sites, I
emphasize the role of combinatorial maps in the motor cortex in this
report. Combinatorial maps make it possible for many different
stimuli to trigger many different motor programs, and for preferential
linkages to be associatively formed.

A second primary process stores motor programs and regulates their
expression. The programs are believed to be stored in the cerebellar
cortex, in the synaptic weights between parallel fibers and Purkinje
cells. Positive feedback loops between the motor cortex and the
cerebellum bind the combinatorial maps to the motor programs. The
capability for self-sustained activity in these loops is the postulated
driving force for generating programs, whereas inhibition from
cerebellar Purkinje cells is the main mechanism that regulates their
expression. Execution of a program is triggered when a sensory input
succeeds in initiating regenerative loop activity.

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