Multidimensional Representation of Concepts as Cognitive Engrams in the Human Brain

Multidimensional Representation of Concepts as Cognitive Engrams in the Human Brain

Donald H. Marks M.D., Ph.D.

Research Associate, Wallace Kettering Neuroscience Institute, Kettering, Ohio

Mehdi Adineh Ph.D. Wallace Kettering Neuroscience Institute

Binquan Wang Ph.D. Wallace Kettering Neuroscience Institute

Sudeepa Gupta M.A. Wallace Kettering Neuroscience Institute

Jayaram K. Udupa Ph.D. Chief Medical Image Processing Group Department of Radiology University of Pennsylvania

Citation: D. H. Marks, M. Adineh, B. Wang, S. Gupta & J. K. Udupa : Multidimensional Representation of Concepts as Cognitive Engrams in the Human Brain . The Internet Journal of Neurology. 2007 Volume 6 Number 1

Background:

Activation of specific brain areas has been correlated with processing and storage of information. Several theories compete on how and where visual recognition of faces and objects takes place in the human brain. Prior studies have shown a general pattern of activation for faces and various objects. We explored whether specific three-dimensional patterns of brain activation during fMRI can be correlated with the functional storage and conceptual representation of specific visual stimuli.

Methods: Three-dimensional representations of brain activation data were constructed from functional MRI of normal subjects viewing human faces and objects. Data were pooled across viewing individuals and compared on a test face or object basis. Results: Three-dimensional representations of visual stimuli in form and shape, which we termed Cognitive Engrams (CE), for various faces and objects appeared to be unique and not overlapping. A two-way correlation may be performed. Conclusions: CEs, as determined by fMRI, may correlate with specific concepts, and therefore, may be representative of actual memory patterns.

Although much information has been gathered concerning the storage and processing of information in the human brain, much remains unknown. Recent advances in neuroimaging have increased our understanding of human neuroanatomy (Prabhakaran 2000). Functional neuroimaging, particularly using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD: Bandettini et al 1992) response of MRI (functional MRI, or fMRI), PET scans, Magneto-Encephalography, and other techniques have advanced our understanding of the brain's cognitive processing of information and memory (Rugg 2002; Binder 1999; Courtney 1998).

The study of cognition - the nature of various mental tasks and the processes that enable them to be performed - has made great conceptual advances. Herein is described a conceptual basis for cognitive processing, and a methodologic framework to understand how and where concepts (persons, places, objects, agendas, intents) are stored. For the purposes of this article, a Cognitive Engram (CE) refers to a representation of the three-dimensional region of the brain wherein neurophysiologic changes occur that reflect the function for storage and processing of specific memory elements / thoughts. In this paper, CEs are described, their significance is explored, and methods to monitor them are presented.