Functional Organization of the Central Nervous System

Abstract

The authors present, speculatively, their ideas concerning the functional organization of the central nervous system. The concept of levels of function is reviewed as are the ideas which developed from Coghill''s studies. An attempt is made, with the help of recent experimental findings, to formulate a plan of operation which emphasizes transactional relationships based upon temporal and spatial patterns of activity. A diagram is presented which suggests a vertical organization of function, with a transactional component interposed between the sensory and motor components of the central nervous system.