BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Mental Navigation and the Default Mode Network: From Spatial Maps 
 to Conceptual Knowledge - Dr Deniz Vatansever\, Fudan University
DTSTART:20251017T153000Z
DTEND:20251017T170000Z
UID:TALK237157@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Psychology Reception
DESCRIPTION:In parallel with other species\, humans possess a remarkable a
 bility to encode detailed spatial information about our environments\, for
 ming cognitive maps that enable inference and generalisation for goal-dire
 cted behaviour. Long linked to the hippocampal-entorhinal system\, growing
  evidence now suggests that the neural mechanisms supporting spatial navig
 ation also extend to abstract domains\, involving a broader network of cor
 tical regions. In this talk\, I will propose that the default mode network
  (DMN)\, traditionally associated with mind-wandering and self-referential
  processing\, plays a domain-general role in constructing and traversing c
 ognitive maps: structured representations of relational knowledge that spa
 n both spatial and non-spatial domains. I will present recent findings fro
 m our lab using ultra-high-field 7T fMRI\, showing how spatial learning an
 d memory are encoded across the DMN during navigation in virtual environme
 nts\, and how these same regions organize conceptual knowledge along inter
 pretable representational axes to support abstract mental navigation. Toge
 ther\, these results suggest that the DMN implements a unified computation
 al architecture for mapping space\, memory\, meaning\, and value. This fra
 mework bridges classical theories of cognitive maps with contemporary syst
 ems neuroscience and offers translational insights into disorders such as 
 Alzheimer's disease\, where both spatial navigation and DMN function are c
 ompromised.\n\nHost: Prof Trevor Robbins (twr2@cam.ac.uk)\n\nThis talk wil
 l be recorded and uploaded to the Zangwill Club "Youtube channel":https://
 www.youtube.com/@zangwillclub5226 in due course.
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of  Psychology
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR