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bioRxiv · 10.1101/268375

Abstract concept learning in a simple neural network inspired by the insect brain

Cope, A. J.·Vasilaki, E.·Minors, D.·Sabo, C.·Marshall, J. A. R.·Barron, A. B.
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Abstract

The capacity to learn abstract concepts such as sameness and difference is considered a higher-order cognitive function, typically thought to be dependent on top-down neocortical processing. It is therefore surprising that honey bees apparantly have this capacity. Here we report a model of the structures of the honey bee brain that can learn same-ness and difference, as well as a range of complex and simple associative learning tasks. Our model is constrained by the known connections and properties of the mushroom body, including the protocerebral tract, and provides a good fit to the learning rates and performances of real bees in all tasks, including learning sameness and difference. The model proposes a novel mechanism for learning the abstract concepts of sameness and difference that is compatible with the insect brain, and is not dependent on top-down or executive control processing.

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Cope, A. J., Vasilaki, E., Minors, D., Sabo, C., Marshall, J. A. R., Barron, A. B.. 2018-02-20. Abstract concept learning in a simple neural network inspired by the insect brain. https://doi.org/10.1101/268375

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