Quian Quiroga’s recent letter in TiCS [1] raises a healthy debate about how the human hippocampus encodes episodic experience. We welcome the discussion and, while we respectfully disagree on several issues, we hope that it will stimulate experiments clarifying how the hippocampus encodes episodic memory. Here, we address four issues about hippocampal coding and argue that: (i) single-trial reinstatement is a statistically robust, widely used measure; (ii) episode-specific neurons (ESNs) cannot be explained as reactivated concept cells; (iii) repeated-story paradigms are ill-suited to test one-shot conjunctive coding; and (iv) concept cells alone cannot disambiguate similar events.
Read Full Article (External Site)
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.
