What’s important gets a bigger module.
By examining how sounds are registered during the process of learning, UC Irvine neurobiologists have discovered a neural coding mechanism that the brain relies upon to register the intensity of memories based on the importance of the experience.
Norman Weinberger and his colleagues found that when the brain uses this coding method, information is stored in a greater number of brain cells, which should result in a stronger memory.
In the study, the researchers trained rats to press a bar to receive water when they heard a certain tone. The tone was varied in its importance to different rats… After brain mapping these test rats, the researchers found that the greater the importance of the tone, the greater the area of the auditory cortex that became tuned to it.
While neurobiologists have long hypothesized this type of neural coding, the study presents the first evidence that a "memory code" of any kind may exist.
Study results appear on the Online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders supported the effort.
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In terms of the Selfridge model, more neurons make a demon that shouts louder. The evidence suggests a general principle: to improve memory, get more neurons involved. Actually, this is a well established principle, but this evidence ties in another well established principle, cue, response, reinforcement. I would like to tie it to another behavioral observation: emotion strengthens memory. This is commonly noted in the context of “flash bulb” memory. But, as I have pointed out in connection with closure, there is minor satisfaction in getting the right answer to a trivia question.
Educators have long noted that some people learn a subject easily and some people learn the same subject with difficulty. I would speculate that easy learning comes from getting more neurons involved. In the Thinkerer, we suggested a number of ways to do that in the Study Skills page.
http://www.thinkerer.org/Studying/StudySkillsRatem.htm
This notion also follows from the general Thinkere theme of unity. Getting your head together is not just a casual phrase to those who understand cognitive engineering. Or Zen.
Norman Weinberger and his colleagues found that when the brain uses this coding method, information is stored in a greater number of brain cells, which should result in a stronger memory.
In the study, the researchers trained rats to press a bar to receive water when they heard a certain tone. The tone was varied in its importance to different rats… After brain mapping these test rats, the researchers found that the greater the importance of the tone, the greater the area of the auditory cortex that became tuned to it.
While neurobiologists have long hypothesized this type of neural coding, the study presents the first evidence that a "memory code" of any kind may exist.
Study results appear on the Online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders supported the effort.
---
In terms of the Selfridge model, more neurons make a demon that shouts louder. The evidence suggests a general principle: to improve memory, get more neurons involved. Actually, this is a well established principle, but this evidence ties in another well established principle, cue, response, reinforcement. I would like to tie it to another behavioral observation: emotion strengthens memory. This is commonly noted in the context of “flash bulb” memory. But, as I have pointed out in connection with closure, there is minor satisfaction in getting the right answer to a trivia question.
Educators have long noted that some people learn a subject easily and some people learn the same subject with difficulty. I would speculate that easy learning comes from getting more neurons involved. In the Thinkerer, we suggested a number of ways to do that in the Study Skills page.
http://www.thinkerer.org/Studying/StudySkillsRatem.htm
This notion also follows from the general Thinkere theme of unity. Getting your head together is not just a casual phrase to those who understand cognitive engineering. Or Zen.
posted by Selby Evans at 9:26 AM
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