How We Transmit Memories to Other Brains: Constructing Shared Neural Representations Via Communication.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Humans can mentally reconstruct events from others' recollections without direct experience.
• The neural basis of this shared event construction remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural similarity between encoding, recalling, and constructing real-life events.
• To determine if neural patterns are shared across these memory processes.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used.
• A verbal communication task involved encoding, recalling, and listener construction of movie scenes.
• Neural patterns were compared across encoding, recall, and construction phases.

Main Results:

• Event-specific neural patterns were identified in the default mode network.
• These neural patterns were found to be shared across encoding, recall, and construction of the same event.
• Common language was crucial for transmitting memories.

Conclusions:

• Memory encoding and event construction share intimate neural correspondences.
• The default mode network plays a key role in shared memory experiences.
• Language is essential for interbrain transmission of memories.