[Verse 1] In the visual cortex where neurons dance and play Four directions carry messages in their own special way Feedforward climbs the ladder with evidence to share From superficial layers to layer four with care [Chorus] Up the chain goes feedforward, "Here's what I cannot predict" Down comes feedback whispering, "Context makes it click" Lateral spreads the chatter, normalizing the scene While neuromodulation sets the global machine Gamma drives upward, alpha flows back down Four pathways painting pictures all around [Verse 2] Deep layers send their wisdom flowing backward through the stream Alpha-beta frequencies carrying prediction's dream Not driving but modulating, biasing what we see "Attend here" says the feedback, "This is how it ought to be" [Chorus] Up the chain goes feedforward, "Here's what I cannot predict" Down comes feedback whispering, "Context makes it click" Lateral spreads the chatter, normalizing the scene While neuromodulation sets the global machine Gamma drives upward, alpha flows back down Four pathways painting pictures all around [Bridge] GABA keeps the peace within each retinotopic zone Competition and integration, never works alone Short-range glutamate connections weave the local tale While brainstem broadcasts slowly, diffuse without fail [Verse 3] From basal forebrain spreading like morning mist so wide Neuromodulators whisper to every neural side Arousal, gain, and plasticity, no spatial address Global states of consciousness in chemical caress [Verse 4] Predictive coding algorithms dance in feedback streams Top-down expectations meeting bottom-up dreams Error signals propagate when predictions fall short While lateral inhibition keeps responses in court [Chorus] Up the chain goes feedforward, "Here's what I cannot predict" Down comes feedback whispering, "Context makes it click" Lateral spreads the chatter, normalizing the scene While neuromodulation sets the global machine Gamma drives upward, alpha flows back down Four pathways painting pictures all around [Outro] Layer one and six receive the feedback's gentle touch Layer four gets driven by the feedforward's clutch Four messages converging in the visual processing blues Each pathway tells its story in the neural pathway news [Final Chorus] Up the chain goes feedforward, "Here's what I cannot predict" Down comes feedback whispering, "Context makes it click" Lateral spreads the chatter, normalizing the scene While neuromodulation sets the global machine Gamma drives upward, alpha flows back down Four pathways painting pictures all around
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