Magdalena Solyga (@solygamagda)

We think cortex might function like a JEPA. It looks like prediction errors in layer 2/3 are not computed against input (as is the idea in predictive processing), but against a representation in latent space (i.e. like in a JEPA arxiv.org/abs/2301.08243 or RPL doi.org/10.1101/2025...).

30.01.2026 14:51 👍 45 🔁 12 💬 2 📌 2

A functional influence based circuit motif that constrains the set of plausible algorithms of cortical function There are several plausible algorithms for cortical function that are specific enough to make testable predictions of the interactions between functionally identified cell types. Many of these algorithms are based on some variant of predictive processing. Here we set out to experimentally distinguish between two such predictive processing variants. A central point of variability between them lies in the proposed vertical communication between layer 2/3 and layer 5, which stems from the diverging assumptions about the computational role of layer 5. One assumes a hierarchically organized architecture and proposes that, within a given node of the network, layer 5 conveys unexplained bottom-up input to prediction error neurons of layer 2/3. The other proposes a non-hierarchical architecture in which internal representation neurons of layer 5 provide predictions for the local prediction error neurons of layer 2/3. We show that the functional influence of layer 2/3 cell types on layer 5 is incompatible with the hierarchical variant, while the functional influence of layer 5 cell types on prediction error neurons of layer 2/3 is incompatible with the non-hierarchical variant. Given these data, we can constrain the space of plausible algorithms of cortical function. We propose a model for cortical function based on a combination of a joint embedding predictive architecture (JEPA) and predictive processing that makes experimentally testable predictions. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Swiss National Science Foundation, https://ror.org/00yjd3n13 Novartis Foundation, https://ror.org/04f9t1x17 European Research Council, https://ror.org/0472cxd90, 865617

Our work with @georgkeller.bsky.social on testing predictive processing (PP) models in cortex is out on biorvix now! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... A short thread on our findings and thoughts on where we should move on from PP below.

30.01.2026 14:37 👍 47 🔁 16 💬 2 📌 1

In case you are still wondering what is it like to take part in our experiments ⬇️

23.11.2025 06:34 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

Very grateful to the Ruth Chiquet Prize committee for recognizing our efforts and to the FMI community for their invaluable support in this project.

18.09.2025 07:20 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

Our Open Day for Novartis was a great success! 🎉 Many @novartis.bsky.social colleagues joined us today to explore our science, meet our researchers & enjoy food trucks. Huge thanks to all volunteers and everyone who stopped by — here’s to more connections and collaborations!

28.08.2025 13:08 👍 7 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

Visuomotor mismatch EEG responses in occipital cortex of freely moving human subjects https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.14.670295v1

19.08.2025 12:15 👍 4 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

A new preprint from our lab with @zelechowski.bsky.social & @georgkeller.bsky.social !

Using wireless EEG + VR, we recorded visuomotor mismatch responses in freely moving humans.

Huge thanks to all participants, Keller Lab members and FMI facilities!

Read more: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

19.08.2025 13:39 👍 28 🔁 13 💬 0 📌 1

Publishing with eLife: “the future of science lies in greater transparency” Neuroscientist Magdalena Solyga shares her latest study and her experience publishing with eLife.

Ditching months-long delays for fast, constructive feedback.

This interview with @solygamagda.bsky.social dives into the experience of publishing with eLife and what it could mean for a more open and efficient future in science.

21.07.2025 15:59 👍 15 🔁 9 💬 0 📌 0

Dynamic basal ganglia output signals license and suppress forelimb movements - Nature Basal ganglia output neurons fire dynamically in bidirectional and movement-specific patterns to license forelimb movements. 

Forelimb movement control at the basal ganglia - brainstem interface!

Happy to finally share this work from me and @harsh-kanodia.bsky.social with Silvia Arber!

@biozentrum.unibas.ch @fmiscience.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

28.05.2025 15:32 👍 30 🔁 15 💬 1 📌 1

A few words on our latest paper and where we're heading next ⬇️

08.05.2025 06:58 👍 9 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1

Activity in serotonergic axons in visuomotor areas of cortex is modulated by the recent history of visuomotor coupling Visuomotor experience is necessary for the development of normal function of visual cortex (Attinger et al., 2017) and likely establishes a balance between movement-related predictions and sensory sig...

Consistent with the work of @jeremiahycohen.bsky.social and @mishaahrens.bsky.social labs, we find that serotonin axons in mouse visual cortex appear to signal recent visuomotor uncertainty (and unlike norepinephrine axons, they have no visuomotor mismatch responses) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

13.03.2025 11:29 👍 35 🔁 12 💬 2 📌 0

Just in case you - as we did - were wondering whether humans would have any of these pesky visuomotor mismatch responses certain people have seen in mice...

26.02.2025 13:25 👍 14 🔁 4 💬 2 📌 2

Magdalena Solyga

Latest posts by Magdalena Solyga @solygamagda