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SUMMARY:Simulating word learning\, semantic grounding\, and oscillatory re
 sponses to linguistic items in a neurobiologically constrained model of th
 e cortex - Dr Max Garagnani\, Lecturer in Computer Science\,  Co-Director 
 of the MSc in Computational Cognitive Neuroscience\,  Department of Comput
 ing\, Goldsmiths\, University of London
DTSTART:20180504T153000Z
DTEND:20180504T163000Z
UID:TALK104107@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Louise White
DESCRIPTION:I will highlight a neurocomputational architecture of left-hem
 ispheric cortical areas that we developed to simulate and explain brain co
 rrelates of word learning and semantic grounding. The model’s main disti
 nguishing features are that it (i) replicates connectivity and anatomical 
 structure of the relevant brain areas\, and (ii) implements only functiona
 l mechanisms reflecting known cellular- and synaptic-level properties of t
 he cerebral cortex. I will illustrate how stimulation of the “sensorimot
 or” model areas (mimicking early stages of word acquisition) leads to th
 e spontaneous formation of network correlates of memory traces for words. 
 I will then argue that\, without any significant changes\, the same archit
 ecture can explain a range of experimental data and phenomena in the langu
 age as well as other domains. Accordingly\, I will suggest a unifying mode
 l of cognition based on action-perception circuits whose emergence\, dynam
 ics and interactions are grounded in known neuroanatomy and neurobiologica
 l learning mechanisms.
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of Psychology
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