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Review
. 2023 Mar;27(3):258-281.
doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.12.006. Epub 2023 Jan 9.

Decoding semantic representations in mind and brain

Saskia L Frisby  1 , Ajay D Halai  2 , Christopher R Cox  3 , Matthew A Lambon Ralph  2 , Timothy T Rogers  4
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Free article
Review

Decoding semantic representations in mind and brain

Saskia L Frisby et al. Trends Cogn Sci. 2023 Mar.
Free article

Abstract

A key goal for cognitive neuroscience is to understand the neurocognitive systems that support semantic memory. Recent multivariate analyses of neuroimaging data have contributed greatly to this effort, but the rapid development of these novel approaches has made it difficult to track the diversity of findings and to understand how and why they sometimes lead to contradictory conclusions. We address this challenge by reviewing cognitive theories of semantic representation and their neural instantiation. We then consider contemporary approaches to neural decoding and assess which types of representation each can possibly detect. The analysis suggests why the results are heterogeneous and identifies crucial links between cognitive theory, data collection, and analysis that can help to better connect neuroimaging to mechanistic theories of semantic cognition.

Keywords: brain imaging; cognitive neuroscience; concepts; multivariate pattern analysis; neural decoding; semantic memory.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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