🧠 New paper by Aidan J. Horner (2025, Trends in Cognitive Sciences) introduces a 3D neural #StateSpace for #episodic memories. It replaces linear #SystemsConsolidation models with a dynamic framework where #hippocampal, #neocortical, and episodic specificity dimensions evolve independently and non-linearly, allowing memories to shift, reverse, or re-engage hippocampal circuits.
🌍 https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(25)00284-0
#Neuroscience #CognitiveScience #Hippocampus #CogSci #compneuro #memory
Figure 2. The state space comprises three dimensions: the degree to which reinstatement is driven by a hippocampal
mechanism (Hippocampal; weak to strong); the degree to which reinstatement is driven by a nonhippocampal mechanism
(Nonhippocampal; weak to strong); and the degree to which reinstatement is episodically speci c (Speci city; low to high).
Figure 1. A modal neurocognitive model of episodic retrieval and systems consolidation. (A) When experiencing an
event, a distributed pattern of activity occurs along neocortical processing pathways (pathways shown here are intentionally
‘generic’ but could map to ventral and dorsal visual pathways as well as other sensory processing pathways; e.g., auditory).
These pathways converge on the hippocampus and are bound into a memory trace allowing for their retrieval later in time. At
encoding, all neocortical representations are active, forming a new hippocampal memory trace. At retrieval, a subset of neocor-
tical representations will be active, allowing for the retrieval of the hippocampal memory trace and subsequent reinstatement of
the remaining neocortical representations. (B) Over time, connections between neocortical regions form, allowing for their
retrieval without the involvement of the hippocampus. Blue lines indicate pre-existing connections/representations;
yellow lines indicate newly formed connections/representations; grey lines indicate previously formed connections that have
weakened.
