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Study Reveals How Brain Encodes Time and Experiences

Research identifies specific neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex that map the temporal structure of events, aiding memory formation and prediction.

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The hippocampal neurons act as "place cells" that show when an animal is at a specific location, similar to an 'X' on a map, while the entorhinal neurons act as "grid cells" to provide a metric of spatial distance. Credit: Neuroscience News
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Overview

  • UCLA-led study records individual neuron activity, showing how the brain encodes the sequence and timing of experiences.
  • Neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex fire in patterns that reflect the order of events, even replaying them during rest.
  • Findings provide empirical evidence of how the brain integrates 'what' and 'when' information to form lasting memories.
  • This discovery can inform the development of neuro-prosthetic devices to enhance memory and other cognitive functions.
  • The study's insights also have implications for artificial intelligence's understanding of human cognition.