PARIETAL CORTEX AND A SPATIAL COGNITIVE MAP

A framework is proposed, based on the assumption that the posterior pa rietal cortex stores longterm memory information in the form of a spat ial cognitive map, reflecting the operation of perceptual representati ons of relations among spatial features and landmarks as well as the o peration of attentional processes to bind spatial features and landmar ks and to selectively attend to the critical features that form spatia l cognitive maps. Evidence in support of this assumption, based on an analysis of specific properties of neural systems that store long-term memory information, is presented.