<p>Most flow diagrams with the detail your require are for rudimentary sensory functions (such as seeing, eye tracking and other simple functions) can be found in any neuroanatomy textbook. The one I have experience with is "Neuroanatomy: Text and Atlas" by John H. Martin.</p>

<p>Alternatively, if you're looking for a more functional interpretation of how information flows through the brain in terms of behaviour, the most detailed model that I know is Spaun. A diagram of the brain model taken from <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6111/1202.full?ijkey=y5vph.jw5AgRQ&amp;keytype=ref&amp;siteid=sci" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the Science paper</a> can be seen below:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/oCZtn.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/oCZtn.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Other models using the Neural Engineering Framework and the Semantic Pointer Architecture used in Spaun may also have the types of diagrams you are looking for. For example, consider this motor control diagram from <a href="https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9089" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Travis DeWolf's PhD thesis on Adaptive Control</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Zg4af.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Zg4af.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-13T23:56:09.193Z
2015-08-13T23:56:09.193Z
Seanny123
<p>I have found the human information processing model (Wickens) to be a good starting point at understanding the high-level processing functions that take place.  </p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3B00P.png" alt="Human Information Processing Model"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-22T16:11:17.933Z
I am looking more for a model which indicates flow between functional parts of the brain and their function rather then a conceptual one. But thanks for the reply.
Fiorentino
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-23T11:07:20.467Z
Understood, and I suspect with how little we know about how the brain works, what you are looking for doesn't exist, at least not a complete map from end to end. The sensory input piece is pretty well mapped, but they get stuck after that in figuring out how the brain processes signals.
theMayer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-14T15:11:51.540Z
2015-07-14T15:11:51.540Z
theMayer
<p>There's also Hickok and Poeppel's Dual Stream Model of Speech/Language Processing.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.talkingbrains.org/2008/12/dual-stream-model-of-speechlanguage.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.talkingbrains.org/2008/12/dual-stream-model-of-speechlanguage.html</a></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/540Y0.jpg" alt="Hickok and Poeppel&#39;s Dual Stream Model of Speech/Language Processing"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-14T11:59:16.353Z
Some details on how this was discovered (especially how they distinguished bi-directional vs. unidirectional paths) would be appreciated.
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-02T01:59:43.457Z
They use data from neuroimaging studies (fMRI, PET) and lesion studies (patient has damage to certain area of brain, see what functions are disrupted). Maybe other sources, too. Can't remember. I can't speak to the bi/unidirectionality of all the connections, but the bidirectionality between the phonological network and the lexical interface, for example, is suggested by phenomena like the ganong effect.
Russell Richie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-08-14T03:49:05.597Z
2019-01-07T14:16:11.287Z
2019-01-07T14:16:11.287Z
Russell Richie
<p>I am a Artificial Intelligence researcher with a interest in neuroscience. </p>

<p>I was wondering if flow diagrams exist of the way information flows from sensory inputs through the parts of the brain (and their function) to form output actuation signals for moving the body? </p>

<p>This kind of flow diagram might be used as a kind of blue print for constructing intelligent systems.</p>

<p>Such diagrams of information flow of other animals besides humans (less complex systems) would also be very welcome and useful. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-14T14:24:04.163Z
The short answer is that (at the very least) rudimentary versions of such diagrams do exist for both human and other animals.
Azorce
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-14T05:33:50.523Z
I voted to close this question as it has potentially hundreds, perhaps thousands of possible answers - any information flow may be applicable. For example the visual dorsal and ventral streams have not shown up in the answers, but are both notable examples of the flow of info in the brain. This question is too broad. A google (scholar / image) search will quickly and easily yield a massive amount of data.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-07T18:18:15.097Z
@AliceD I would agree, and would not object to closing this. A suitable answer which could be accepted would basically clarify that. Another potential good search is anything in 'artificial general intelligence (AGI)', which largely sets out to accomplish that.
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-07T19:04:08.323Z
@StevenJeuris given the number of upvotes I tend to leave it up. After all, we should represent the community, right? Closing questions years *post hoc* is always tricky. I already voted rather late (a month after posting), but to close it now.... Up 2U though.
AliceD
<cognitive-neuroscience><cognitive-modeling><animal-cognition>
Flow diagram of how information flows through the brain?
Fiorentino
# Flow diagram of how information flows through the brain?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-04)

I am a Artificial Intelligence researcher with a interest in neuroscience.

I was wondering if flow diagrams exist of the way information flows from sensory inputs through the parts of the brain (and their function) to form output actuation signals for moving the body?

This kind of flow diagram might be used as a kind of blue print for constructing intelligent systems.

Such diagrams of information flow of other animals besides humans (less complex systems) would also be very welcome and useful.

**Tags:** cognitive-neuroscience, cognitive-modeling, animal-cognition

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The short answer is that (at the very least) rudimentary versions of such diagrams do exist for both human and other animals.  
> **username_2**: I voted to close this question as it has potentially hundreds, perhaps thousands of possible answers - any information flow may be applicable. For example the visual dorsal and ventral streams have not shown up in the answers, but are both notable examples of the flow of info in the brain. This question is too broad. A google (scholar / image) search will quickly and easily yield a massive amount of data.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 I would agree, and would not object to closing this. A suitable answer which could be accepted would basically clarify that. Another potential good search is anything in 'artificial general intelligence (AGI)', which largely sets out to accomplish that.  
> **username_2**: @StevenJeuris given the number of upvotes I tend to leave it up. After all, we should represent the community, right? Closing questions years *post hoc* is always tricky. I already voted rather late (a month after posting), but to close it now.... Up 2U though.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-08-13. Score: 4

Most flow diagrams with the detail your require are for rudimentary sensory functions (such as seeing, eye tracking and other simple functions) can be found in any neuroanatomy textbook. The one I have experience with is "Neuroanatomy: Text and Atlas" by John H. Martin.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a more functional interpretation of how information flows through the brain in terms of behaviour, the most detailed model that I know is Spaun. A diagram of the brain model taken from [the Science paper](http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6111/1202.full?ijkey=y5vph.jw5AgRQ&keytype=ref&siteid=sci) can be seen below:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/oCZtn.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/oCZtn.jpg)

Other models using the Neural Engineering Framework and the Semantic Pointer Architecture used in Spaun may also have the types of diagrams you are looking for. For example, consider this motor control diagram from [Travis DeWolf's PhD thesis on Adaptive Control](https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9089).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Zg4af.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/Zg4af.png)


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2015-07-14. Score: 2

I have found the human information processing model (Wickens) to be a good starting point at understanding the high-level processing functions that take place.

![Human Information Processing Model](https://i.sstatic.net/3B00P.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I am looking more for a model which indicates flow between functional parts of the brain and their function rather then a conceptual one. But thanks for the reply.  
> **username_5**: Understood, and I suspect with how little we know about how the brain works, what you are looking for doesn't exist, at least not a complete map from end to end. The sensory input piece is pretty well mapped, but they get stuck after that in figuring out how the brain processes signals.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2015-08-14. Score: 2

There's also Hickok and Poeppel's Dual Stream Model of Speech/Language Processing.

<http://www.talkingbrains.org/2008/12/dual-stream-model-of-speechlanguage.html>

![Hickok and Poeppel's Dual Stream Model of Speech/Language Processing](https://i.sstatic.net/540Y0.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Some details on how this was discovered (especially how they distinguished bi-directional vs. unidirectional paths) would be appreciated.  
> **username_6**: They use data from neuroimaging studies (fMRI, PET) and lesion studies (patient has damage to certain area of brain, see what functions are disrupted). Maybe other sources, too. Can't remember. I can't speak to the bi/unidirectionality of all the connections, but the bidirectionality between the phonological network and the lexical interface, for example, is suggested by phenomena like the ganong effect.  

---

