Abstract
The apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons in cortex are notable for their unique morphology and physiology. They have also been strongly implicated in plasticity and learning. But, the role of the apical dendrites in sensorimotor processing more broadly remains unclear. In this talk, I will provide an overview of recent evidence from my lab and others that suggests that the apical dendrites may have a role in regulating behavioural control, in addition to their role in learning. This implies that learning and control may be intimately linked in cortical circuits, and presents us with potential ideas for implementing novel forms of credit assignment in AI systems.