Stimulating brain pathways shows origins of human language and memory — ScienceDaily

Scientists have identified that the evolutionary development of human and primate brains may have been similar for communication and memory.

Although speech and language are unique to humans, experts have found that the brain’s pathway is similarly wired in monkeys which could signify an evolutionary process dating back at least 25 million years.

In a study, published in the journal Neuron, teams led by Newcastle University and the University of Iowa, compared auditory cortex information from humans and primates and found strong links.

Professor Chris Petkov, from Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, UK, said: “Our language abilities help us to crystallise memories and make them vivid, such as ‘the singer sounded like a nightingale’.

“Therefore, it’s often thought that the human language and memory brain systems went through a substantial transformation during our…

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