Hebb's concept of cell assemblies and the psychophysiology of word processing

Hebb's brain-theoretical approach suggests that tightly connected networks of neurons, Hebbian cell assemblies, are the building blocks of cognitive functions. These assemblies are not necessarily restricted to a small cortical locus but may be dispersed over distant cortical areas. Assemblies with different topographies can be postulated for different kinds of words, such as meaningful content versus grammatical function words or words eliciting motor versus visual associations. Evidence from evoked potentials and gamma-band electrocortical responses elicited by lexical material supports a cell assembly model of language and other higher cognitive functions.