Brain-Inspired Machine Intelligence: A Survey of Neurobiologically-Plausible Credit Assignment
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Abstract (arXiv)
In this survey, we examine algorithms for conducting credit assignment in artificial neural networks that are inspired or motivated by neurobiology. These processes are unified under one possible taxonomy, which is constructed based on how a learning algorithm answers a central question underpinning the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in complex adaptive neuronal systems: where do the signals that drive the learning in individual elements of a network come from and how are they produced? In this unified treatment, we organize the ever-growing set of brain-inspired learning schemes into six general families and consider these in the context of backpropagation of errors and its known criticisms. The results of this review are meant to encourage future developments in neuro-mimetic systems and their constituent learning processes, wherein lies an important opportunity to build a strong bridge between machine learning, computational neuroscience, and cognitive science.
Key facts. Cited by 13 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 82 of its 480 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 1 Dec 2023.
Builds on
82 of 480 references.
References · 82
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50 most cited of 82 All 82 (JSON)
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 4.
13 papers.
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- 2025Stochastic Forward-Forward Learning through Representational Dimensionality Compressioncited by 4
- 2024Temporal-Difference Learning Using Distributed Error Signalscited by 3
- 2024A Contrastive Symmetric Forward-Forward Algorithm (SFFA) for Continual Learning Taskscited by 2
- 2025Toward Practical Equilibrium Propagation: Brain-inspired Recurrent Neural Network with Feedback Regulation and Residual Connectionscited by 2
- 2026Accelerated Predictive Coding Networks via Direct Kolen-Pollack Feedback Alignmentcited by 2
- 2024Neuro-mimetic Task-free Unsupervised Online Learning with Continual Self-Organizing Mapscited by 1
- 2024Forward Learning of Graph Neural Networkscited by 1
- 2024Emerging NeoHebbian Dynamics in Forward-Forward Learning: Implications for Neuromorphic Computingcited by 1
- 2024On the Improvement of Generalization and Stability of Forward-Only Learning via Neural Polarizationcited by 1
- 2026HCL-FF: Hierarchical and Contrastive Learning for Forward-Forward Algorithmcited by 1
- 2025Meta-Representational Predictive Coding: Neuroscience-Informed Self-Supervised Learningcited by 0
- 2026Hebbian Learning with Global Directioncited by 0
1 more
- 2026Error Highways: Scaling Predictive Coding to Very Deep Networks22 Jun 2026
- 2026HCL-FF: Hierarchical and Contrastive Learning for Forward-Forward Algorithm24 May 2026
- 2026Accelerated Predictive Coding Networks via Direct Kolen-Pollack Feedback Alignment17 Feb 2026
- 2026Hebbian Learning with Global Direction29 Jan 2026
- 2025Toward Practical Equilibrium Propagation: Brain-inspired Recurrent Neural Network with Feedback Regulation and Residual Connections5 Aug 2025
- 2025Stochastic Forward-Forward Learning through Representational Dimensionality Compression22 May 2025
- 2025Meta-Representational Predictive Coding: Neuroscience-Informed Self-Supervised Learning22 Mar 2025
- 2024Temporal-Difference Learning Using Distributed Error Signals6 Nov 2024
- 2024A Contrastive Symmetric Forward-Forward Algorithm (SFFA) for Continual Learning Tasks11 Sep 2024
- 2024On the Improvement of Generalization and Stability of Forward-Only Learning via Neural Polarization17 Aug 2024
- 2024Emerging NeoHebbian Dynamics in Forward-Forward Learning: Implications for Neuromorphic Computing24 Jun 2024
- 2024Forward Learning of Graph Neural Networks16 Mar 2024
- 2025Stochastic Forward-Forward Learning through Representational Dimensionality Compressioncited by 4
- 2024Temporal-Difference Learning Using Distributed Error Signalscited by 3
- 2024A Contrastive Symmetric Forward-Forward Algorithm (SFFA) for Continual Learning Taskscited by 2
- 2025Toward Practical Equilibrium Propagation: Brain-inspired Recurrent Neural Network with Feedback Regulation and Residual Connectionscited by 2
- 2026Accelerated Predictive Coding Networks via Direct Kolen-Pollack Feedback Alignmentcited by 2
- 2024Neuro-mimetic Task-free Unsupervised Online Learning with Continual Self-Organizing Mapscited by 1
- 2024Forward Learning of Graph Neural Networkscited by 1
- 2024Emerging NeoHebbian Dynamics in Forward-Forward Learning: Implications for Neuromorphic Computingcited by 1
- 2024On the Improvement of Generalization and Stability of Forward-Only Learning via Neural Polarizationcited by 1
- 2026HCL-FF: Hierarchical and Contrastive Learning for Forward-Forward Algorithmcited by 1
- 2025Meta-Representational Predictive Coding: Neuroscience-Informed Self-Supervised Learningcited by 0
- 2026Hebbian Learning with Global Directioncited by 0
12 most cited of 13 All 13 (JSON)
- 2026Error Highways: Scaling Predictive Coding to Very Deep Networks22 Jun 2026
- 2026HCL-FF: Hierarchical and Contrastive Learning for Forward-Forward Algorithm24 May 2026
- 2026Accelerated Predictive Coding Networks via Direct Kolen-Pollack Feedback Alignment17 Feb 2026
- 2026Hebbian Learning with Global Direction29 Jan 2026
- 2025Toward Practical Equilibrium Propagation: Brain-inspired Recurrent Neural Network with Feedback Regulation and Residual Connections5 Aug 2025
- 2025Stochastic Forward-Forward Learning through Representational Dimensionality Compression22 May 2025
- 2025Meta-Representational Predictive Coding: Neuroscience-Informed Self-Supervised Learning22 Mar 2025
- 2024Temporal-Difference Learning Using Distributed Error Signals6 Nov 2024
- 2024A Contrastive Symmetric Forward-Forward Algorithm (SFFA) for Continual Learning Tasks11 Sep 2024
- 2024On the Improvement of Generalization and Stability of Forward-Only Learning via Neural Polarization17 Aug 2024
- 2024Emerging NeoHebbian Dynamics in Forward-Forward Learning: Implications for Neuromorphic Computing24 Jun 2024
- 2024Forward Learning of Graph Neural Networks16 Mar 2024
12 newest of 13 All 13 (JSON)