A neural network model of transformations in the somatosensory system

Neural responses simulated using a feed-forward, linear neural network were compared to responses recorded from neurons of the primary somatosensory cortex responding to stimulation of the finger pad with embossed letters. Based on the similarity between simulated and observed responses, it is hypothesized that ascending paths of the somatosensory system might have a general structure similar to the organization of this model network and that early cortical responses could be partial transforms leading to a nonisomorphic higher level representation of spatial form