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Symposium

Neurophysiological Bases of Memory, Consciousness, and Interoception in Humans: From the Neuron to Neural Networks

05/10 – 10:30 <br>
Aula Magna – Entresuelo PABELLÓN 2 (Main Lecture Hall – Mezzanine, Building 2)

Chairs:
Silvia Kochen, ENyS-CONICET,  Argentina.

Alejandro Nasimbera, ENyS-CONICET, Argentina

This symposium session features a series of talks presenting recent studies on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying memory, auditory perception, consciousness, and interoception, approached from the activity of individual neurons to the functioning of broader neural networks. Findings are presented on the processes involved in the encoding and retrieval of episodic memories, highlighting the role of specialized neurons in the representation of concepts. Additionally, the panel explores auditory prediction mechanisms that enable the anticipation and processing of sound stimuli, which are essential for the perception of language and music. The role of interoception in the construction of consciousness is also examined, particularly in patients with epilepsy. The discussion includes how neuronal activity influences internal bodily perception and the continuity of subjective experience. Within this context, recent advances in the precise localization of epileptogenic zones through intracerebral recordings are detailed, along with their relationship to cognitive functions relevant for planning surgical interventions. Through neurophysiological studies, neuroimaging techniques, and computational models, this panel offers an integrated view of the relationship between brain activity and conscious experience.

SPEAKERS

Rodrigo Quian Quiroga (CV)
Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM)
Title: “Episodic Memory and Its Correlates at the Single-Neuron Level”

In this talk, we will explore the neural mechanisms underlying episodic memory—that is, the ability to recall specific events situated in time and space. Drawing from studies involving single-neuron recordings in humans, we will present findings that reveal the selective activation of neurons in the hippocampus and medial temporal cortex in response to particular experiences.

Key discoveries will be highlighted concerning so-called “concept cells,” which respond selectively to specific people, places, or events, and have played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of how the brain encodes, consolidates, and retrieves episodic memories. These advances not only deepen our comprehension of memory processes but also offer new perspectives on their deterioration in neurodegenerative diseases.

We will examine how the activity of individual neurons contributes to the construction of autobiographical memory and the shaping of personal identity, framing these insights within current debates in the field of cognitive neuroscience.

Alejandro Blekman (CV)
RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time  and Motion
Title: “Auditory Prediction and Its Neural Correlates”

This panel presents research on the neural mechanisms underlying auditory prediction—a fundamental process for the perception of sound, language, and music. Evidence is presented on how the brain anticipates and processes auditory stimuli through neural networks that integrate prior sensory information, thereby facilitating the interpretation of speech and complex musical structures.

Using neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies, researchers have identified the neural correlates of auditory prediction in regions such as the auditory cortex and areas involved in memory and attention. Additionally, computational models are analyzed to explain how the brain dynamically adjusts its expectations in response to variations in auditory stimuli.

Finally, the session addresses clinical and technological applications stemming from these findings, including the development of intelligent hearing prostheses and rehabilitation strategies for individuals with auditory and language processing disorders.

Nuria Campora (CV)
Hospital El Cruce – CIC, PBA
Title: “Interoception and Consciousness in Epilepsy: Clinical and Neurophysiological Approaches”

This panel explores the clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of consciousness in patients with epilepsy, with a particular focus on proprioception and the subjectivity of conscious experience. Studies are presented demonstrating how neuronal activity in key brain regions influences internal bodily perception and various states of consciousness, both during and outside of epileptic seizures.

Drawing on clinical and neurophysiological evidence, the session examines how interoceptive disturbances affect self-perception and the continuity of conscious experience in these patients. Furthermore, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the dissociation between brain activity and subjective experience are discussed, offering new perspectives on the study of consciousness within the context of epilepsy.

Silvia Kochen (CV)
CONICET – Hospital El Cruce
Title: “Cognitive Correlates and Epileptogenic Zone Diagnosis Through Intracerebral Recordings Using Macro- and Microelectrodes”

This panel presents the use of intracerebral recordings with macro- and microelectrodes for the precise identification of the epileptogenic zone and its correlation with cognitive functions. Recent advances in clinical neurophysiology are discussed, which have enabled more accurate localization of the epileptic focus, improving both diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in patients with refractory epilepsy.

By recording neuronal activity at multiple scales, the interaction between epileptic discharges and cognitive functions—such as memory and language—is analyzed. Studies conducted during presurgical evaluation have allowed researchers to assess the functional impact of epilepsy on brain organization and its implications for planning resective surgery.

Finally, the session addresses the applications of these methodologies in advancing the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy and their relationship with cognition, providing key tools for optimizing treatment and improving patients' quality of life.