Hypotheses on the functional roles of chaotic transitory dynamics.

In contrast to the conventional static view of the brain, recent experimental data show that an alternative view is necessary for an appropriate interpretation of its function. Some selected problems concerning the cortical transitory dynamics are discussed. For the first time, we propose five scenarios for the appearance of chaotic itinerancy, which provides typical transitory dynamics. Second, we describe the transitory behaviors that have been observed in human and animal brains. Finally, we propose nine hypotheses on the functional roles of such dynamics, focusing on the dynamics embedded in data and the dynamical interpretation of brain activity within the framework of cerebral hermeneutics.