Neural Basis of Semantic Memory

A collection of leading models of how the human brain encodes for the memory of the items that surround us.

John Hart (Edited by), Michael A. Kraut (Edited by)

9780521848701, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 March 2007

394 pages, 31 b/w illus. 25 colour illus. 3 tables
25.4 x 18.1 x 2.5 cm, 0.947 kg

'… the incorporation of data derived from multiple modalities of investigation and the completeness of the arguments discussed make this book a useful reference for neuroscientists involved in clinical and neurophysiological studies. Furthermore this book represents a successful first editorial attempt to approach the neural substrates of semantic memory from a 360° perspective. Even a nonexpert but motivated reader of this book will be fascinated by the most recent scientific research on where we store what we know, how we store it (e.g. with sensorimotor codes) and finally what is what we know. This book, reporting the results of different types of investigations, is strong evidence to suggest that, piece by piece, we are getting closer to solving the whole puzzle of the semantic brain.' European Neurology

The advent of modern investigative techniques to explore brain function has led to major advances in understanding the neural organization and mechanisms associated with semantic memory. This book presents current theories by leading experts in the field on how the human nervous system stores and recalls memory of objects, actions, words and events. Chapters range from models of a specific domain or memory system (e.g., lexical-semantic, sensorimotor, emotion) to multiple modality accounts; from encompassing memory representations, to processing modules, to network structures, focusing on studies of both normal individuals and those with brain disease. Recent advances in neuro-exploratory techniques allow for investigation of semantic memory mechanisms noninvasively in both normal healthy individuals and patients with diffuse or focal brain damage. This has resulted in a significant increase in findings relevant to the localization and mechanistic function of brain regions engaged in semantic memory, leading to the neural models included here.

A. Semantic memory: Building Models from Lesions: 1. Semantic refractory access disorders Elizabeth K. Warrington and Sebastian J. Crutch
2. The anatomical locus of lesion in category-specific semantic disorders and the format of the underlying conceptual representations Guido Gainotti
B. Insights from Electrophysiology: 3. Functional modularity of semantic memory revealed by event-related brain potentials John Kounios
4. Bilingual semantic memory revisited - ERP and fMRI evidence Sonja A. Kotz and Kerrie E. Elston-Guettler
C. Applications of Models to Understanding Cognitive Dysfunction: 5. Schizophrenia and semantic memory Michal Assaf, Paul Rivkin, Michael Kraut, Vince Calhoun, John Hart and Godfrey Pearlson
D. Representations of Nouns and Verbs vs. Objects and Actions: 6. Effects of word imageability on semantic access: neuroimaging studies Jeffrey R. Binder
7. The neural systems processing tool and action semantics Uta Noppeney
8. The semantic representation of nouns and verbs Kevin Shapiro, Argye E. Hillis and Alfonso Caramazza
E. Critical Role of Subcortical Nuclei in Semantic Functions: 9. Role of the basal ganglia in language and semantics: supporting cast Bruce Crosson, Michelle Benjamin and Ilana Levy
F. Conceptual Models of Semantics: 10. Process and content in semantic memory Phyllis Koenig and Murray Grossman
11. The conceptual structure account: a cognitive model of semantic memory and its neural instantiation Kirsten I. Taylor, Helen E. Moss and Lorraine K. Tyler
12. Neural foundations for conceptual representations: evidence from functional brain imaging Alex Martin
13. Neural hybrid model of semantic object memory (version 1.1) John Hart, Jr and Michael A. Kraut.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ], Neurology & clinical neurophysiology [MJN], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Linguistics [CF]