Cognitive Science

The latest breakthroughs, innovations, and cool happenings at the cutting edge of the world of cognitive science. Updated daily.

The Hippocampal Cognitive Map: One Space or Many?

New evidence reported by Solomon et al. that hippocampal activity tracks distance in semantic space during recall supports the growing consensus of a domain-general cognitive map. Nevertheless, are all inputs equally processed into a ‘universal map’, or are there input constraints (e.g., space, semantics) that lead to differentiated multiple maps across the hippocampus that have […]

Published on January 21, 2020

Knowledge of Language Transfers From Speech to Sign: Evidence From Doubling

Abstract Does knowledge of language transfer across language modalities? For example, can speakers who have had no sign language experience spontaneously project grammatical principles of English to American Sign Language (ASL) signs? To address this question, here, we explore a grammatical illusion. Using spoken language, we first show that a single word with doubling (e.g., […]

Published on January 21, 2020

Network Models Predict That Pyramidal Neuron Hyperexcitability and Synapse Loss in the dlPFC Lead to Age-Related Spatial Working Memory Impairment in Rhesus Monkeys

Behavioral studies have shown spatial working memory impairment with aging in several animal species, including humans. Persistent activity of layer 3 pyramidal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) neurons during delay periods of working memory tasks is important for encoding memory of the stimulus. In vitro studies have shown that these neurons undergo significant age-related structural and […]

Published on January 20, 2020