Ana G. Chavez

A population code for semantics in human hippocampus

The paper investigates how semantic information is encoded in human hippocampal activity during speech processing, finding that distributed neural patterns capture semantic relationships similar to language models.

Estimation of neuronal tuning for word meaning from passively recorded naturalistic speech

The paper develops a pipeline to estimate neuronal tuning for word meaning from naturalistic speech and validates it using patient data and ground-truth controls.

A number simplex in the human medial temporal lobe

The paper identifies simplex-shaped neural manifolds for number representation in the human medial temporal lobe and finds similarities with large language models.

Shared neural geometries for bilingual semantic representations in human hippocampal neurons

The paper investigates how bilinguals represent semantic concepts in two languages, finding shared neural geometries that support translation despite language-specific neuron responses.

Neural signatures of impaired semantic contextualization in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study uses large language models to analyze neural responses in autistic individuals, finding reduced contextualization signatures compared to controls.

A semantotopic map in human hippocampus

The paper maps semantic organization in the human hippocampus, finding semantotopic patterns and multiscale semantic similarity along the mediolateral axis.

Hippocampus serves as a repository for spoken and heard word meanings during conversations

The paper shows hippocampal neurons encode meanings of spoken and heard words using shared geometric embeddings, enabling abstract cross-personal representations while preserving speaker identity binding.

Linguistic contextualization in the human hippocampus

The paper shows that hippocampal neurons encode word position and context in a way similar to self-attention in large language models.

Complementary roles for hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex in composing continuous choice

The paper examines brain activity during a continuous prey-pursuit task, identifying distinct roles for hippocampus, ACC, and OFC in decision-making processes.

Independent Continuous Tracking of Multiple Agents in the Human Hippocampus

The paper investigates how hippocampal neurons track multiple agents during pursuit tasks, finding multiplexed neural maps and semi-orthogonal subspaces for distinguishing agents.

Plural molecular and cellular mechanisms of pore domain KCNQ2 encephalopathy

The paper investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of KCNQ2 encephalopathy through structural analysis, functional assays, and an animal model, revealing multiple pathogenic effects of the G256W variant.

Removal of KCNQ2 from Parvalbumin-expressing Interneurons Improves Anti-Seizure Efficacy of Retigabine

This study shows that removing KCNQ2 from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons enhances the anti-seizure efficacy of retigabine.