Front Neural Circuits October 2021 PMID 32848632

An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex.

Max Bennett

Mentions

18
Peak: 4 in Sep 2020
across 3 sources since Aug 2020

Extended reach

136,613
potential audience

Total likes

195

Video views

33,662

Mentions per month

Aug 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions reflect high enthusiasm and engagement with the article, as evidenced by phrases like 'this paper is delicious' and references to the potential revolutionary insights, supported by mentions of related models and authors. The tone suggests a strong positive interest, with users actively connecting ideas and sharing relevant materials, indicating the research’s relevance and potential impact in advancing understanding of cortical microcircuits.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions show strong support for the scientific advancements and theories proposed, with several references to Max Bennett’s work and positive energy towards the research.

InterestHigh interest

The topics related to neocortical microcircuits and AI models generate high curiosity, evidenced by mentions of terms like 'game changer' and references to in-depth theories.

EngagementHigh engagement

Users are actively engaging by suggesting related mechanisms, sharing links, and quoting the research, indicating deep involvement in understanding and elaborating on the publication.

ImpactModerate impact

While there is excitement and recognition of potential influence, the discussions primarily revolve around ideas and ongoing research, suggesting moderate but growing impact within neuroscience and AI communities.

Abstract in brief

  • The neocortex performs many functions like working memory, sensory perception, and motor planning, and is made up of repeating units called macrocolumns with similar circuitry, making understanding these microcircuits very important for both neuroscience and AI.
  • Existing models like predictive coding, HTM, and ART have gaps in explaining how microcircuits learn delayed sequences, coordinate across columns, or how top-down attention influences processing.
  • The author proposes a new theory that builds on these models by offering a better understanding of how microcircuits work in these areas, including a novel working memory circuit that can store multiple items at once without disrupting sensory processing, and explains phenomena like cortical oscillations.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Numenta
@Numenta · X

In this week's research meeting, we invited Max Bennett to discuss his recently published model of cortical columns, sequences with precise time scales, and working memory. His work extends our past work in new and exciting ways! Watch the video here: https://t.co/sWtitpZJqE

Sep 10, 2020 · 16 likes · 3 shares · 13,456 followers View post →
Frontiers - Neuroscience
@FrontNeurosci · X

New Research: An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex https://t.co/zDZhrrSmiY #NeuralCircuits

Aug 10, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 81,080 followers View post →
khlor
@khlorghaal · X

this paper is delicious https://t.co/DZlLdOH3Em https://t.co/dkGPx3rsow

Aug 28, 2025 · 2 likes · 253 followers View post →
Matthieu Thiboust
@mthiboust · X

@Numenta Lots of positive energy & fresh ideas in this meeting! An incentive for reading Max Bennett's paper: https://t.co/5twKllRJGo

Oct 1, 2020 · 1 like · 1,114 followers View post →
seanjhardy
@seanjhardy · X

@togelius @rgblong Modern AI is a joke, and utterly inefficient relative to the brain. Transformers positional encodings were recently found to mirror grid cells in the brain. Read up on HTM theory to blow your mind, https://t.co/VGheRubPiy and https://t.co/N9A679nh09

Mar 26, 2023 · 1 like · 183 followers View post →
James of Seattle
@jamessseattle · X

@SelfAwarePatter Links, for anyone interested: Podcast: https://t.co/8xgpvWuEWd Paper: https://t.co/bodgKu36fC Book: https://t.co/Km3p0mV85X *

Jan 28, 2024 · 1 like · 146 followers View post →

All mentions

khlor
@khlorghaal · X

this paper is delicious https://t.co/DZlLdOH3Em https://t.co/dkGPx3rsow

Aug 28, 2025 · 2 likes · 253 followers View post →
ENcenatur
@encenatur · X

An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex https://t.co/s2yUdXJRbp

Mar 27, 2025 · 39 followers View post →
James of Seattle
@jamessseattle · X

@WiringTheBrain @MatthiasMichel_ @seanmcarroll I think Max Bennett @maxsbennett proposed a mechanism for stuff like this in https://t.co/fKpq3xTKnE Look for ‘Macrocolumns Oscillate Between “Input States” and “Output States”’

Jul 29, 2024 · 146 followers View post →
James of Seattle
@jamessseattle · X

@SelfAwarePatter Links, for anyone interested: Podcast: https://t.co/8xgpvWuEWd Paper: https://t.co/bodgKu36fC Book: https://t.co/Km3p0mV85X *

Jan 28, 2024 · 1 like · 146 followers View post →
Dimitri Brunelle
@BrunelleDL · X

I’ve been dreaming of this when I sleep

Nov 17, 2023 · 203 followers View post →
Arron Johnson
@MeirnonArt · X

@brttbrntt @troodoodle @hackleyhackley @deepfates @needo62 Here's a pair to get you started. https://t.co/pLDUyxOvyn https://t.co/OnLRzXRCqE

Sep 12, 2023 · 245 followers View post →
seanjhardy
@seanjhardy · X

@CFGeek Here’s a great paper on a HTM-like biologically plausible implementation of working memory/sequence memory: https://t.co/VGheRubPiy

Apr 2, 2023 · 183 followers View post →
seanjhardy
@seanjhardy · X

@togelius @rgblong Modern AI is a joke, and utterly inefficient relative to the brain. Transformers positional encodings were recently found to mirror grid cells in the brain. Read up on HTM theory to blow your mind, https://t.co/VGheRubPiy and https://t.co/N9A679nh09

Mar 26, 2023 · 1 like · 183 followers View post →
Matthieu Thiboust
@mthiboust · X

@Numenta Lots of positive energy & fresh ideas in this meeting! An incentive for reading Max Bennett's paper: https://t.co/5twKllRJGo

Oct 1, 2020 · 1 like · 1,114 followers View post →
Chee Wai Lee
@cheelee_tweets · X

RT @Numenta: In this week's research meeting, we invited Max Bennett to discuss his recently published model of cortical columns, sequences…

Sep 10, 2020 · 3 shares · 168 followers View post →
Numenta
@Numenta · X

In this week's research meeting, we invited Max Bennett to discuss his recently published model of cortical columns, sequences with precise time scales, and working memory. His work extends our past work in new and exciting ways! Watch the video here: https://t.co/sWtitpZJqE

Sep 10, 2020 · 16 likes · 3 shares · 13,456 followers View post →
Marcia... #EmergingTech #URFutureTech
@MFuturetech · X

RT @FrontNeurosci: New Research: An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex https://t.co/zDZhrrSmiY #…

Aug 10, 2020 · 3 shares · 707 followers View post →
Patrick Lockwood
@AlobhaPatrick · X

RT @FrontNeurosci: New Research: An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex https://t.co/zDZhrrSmiY #…

Aug 10, 2020 · 3 shares · 4,999 followers View post →
Frontiers - Neuroscience
@FrontNeurosci · X

New Research: An Attempt at a Unified Theory of the Neocortical Microcircuit in Sensory Cortex https://t.co/zDZhrrSmiY #NeuralCircuits

Aug 10, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 81,080 followers View post →