The Cerebral Cortex and Memory

Abstract This chapter begins by summarizing the evidence regarding functional specialization of areas of the cerebral cortex for specific perceptual, motor, and cognitive functions. It reviews evidence that the cerebral cortex is highly plastic, that is, the nature and organization of representations in the cortex can dramatically change following damage during development. In addition, the role of experience in shaping the responses of neurons in various cortical areas is reviewed, showing both short term plasticity and lasting changes in the firing patterns of cortical neurons in animals performing memory tasks. These findings reveal striking commonalities in the forms of plasticity observed across cortical areas and among different types of experiential modifications. Cortical neurons alter the magnitude or bias of response towards particular stimuli, and they can sustain or reactivate responses to remembered stimuli.