Theory of Neural Circuits Group

The Wilmes lab studies the neural mechanisms underlying perception and learning in uncertain environments. Our approach is to combine top-down normative and bottom-up circuit-level methods to link cognition to its underlying neural circuits. In particular,  we use computational and mathematical methods to model cortical circuits and neural networks to generate hypotheses about the neural circuit computations underlying cognition. Our lab closely collaborates with experimental labs to test and refine our theories and models. In particular, we study how the brain integrates predictions and sensory inputs under uncertainty, elucidate the roles of recurrent cortical circuits and hierarchical processing, and link cellular-level alterations in prediction‐error signalling to behavioural differences seen in conditions such as autism spectrum disorder.

Google Scholar Profile

A. Granier, M.A. Petrovici, W. Senn* and K.A. Wilmes* (2024). Confidence and second-order errors in cortical circuits. PNAS Nexus. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae404.

K.A. Wilmes, M.A. Petrovici, S. Sachidhanandam, and W. Senn (2024). Uncertainty-modulated prediction errors in cortical microcircuits. eLife .doi:https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.95127.3

L. Hertäg, K.A. Wilmes, C. Clopath (2025). Uncertainty estimation with prediction-error circuits. Nature Communications. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58311-6

D. Myers-Joseph, K.A. Wilmes, M. Fernandez-Otero, C. Clopath, A. Khan (2024). Disinhibition by VIP interneurons is orthogonal to cross-modal attentional modulation in primary visual cortex. Neuron. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.006

K.A. Wilmes and C. Clopath (2023). Dendrites help mitigate the plasticity-stability dilemma. Scientific Reports. 13, 6543. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32410-0.

J. Poort, K.A. Wilmes, A. Blot, A. Chadwick, M. Sahani, C. Clopath, T. Mrsic-Flogel, S. Hofer, A. Khan (2022). Learning and attention increase neuronal response selectivity through distinct mechanisms. Neuron, 110(4), 686–697.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.016. 

K.A. Wilmes and C. Clopath (2019). Inhibitory microcircuits for top-down plasticity of sensory representations. Nature Communications. 10:5055. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-12972-2. 

K.A.Wilmes, H. Sprekeler* and S. Schreiber* (2016) Inhibition as a binary switch for excitatory plasticity in pyramidal neurons. PLoS Computational Biology. 12(3): e1004768. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004768.

*senior co-authorship