LOW LEVEL PRIMING AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PERCEPTION

In this paper we examine the core of a recently proposed model of the entorhinal-hippocampal loop (EHL). The core model is built on pure information theoretic principles. It accounts for the most characteristic features of the EHL including long-term memory (LTM) formation. Here we argue that the core model, which performs novelty detection, provides correct temporal ordering for learning. Surprisingly, as we examine the temporal characteristics of the model, the experienced dynamics can be interpreted as the perceptual priming phenomenon. Computational results support the hypothesis that there might be a strong correlation between perceptual priming and repetition suppression and this correlation is a direct consequence of the temporal ordering in forming the LTM. We argue also that a relatively simple and coherent explanation of priming positions our model as a possible prototype for neocortical layers.