Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25202234›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in neuroscience2014

Superior pattern processing is the essence of the evolved human brain.

Mark P Mattson

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in neuroscience, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 32 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
32citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

32 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Constellations and the sound of hooves.Canadian medical education journal · 2025
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Impact of aging on vascular ion channels: perspectives and knowledge gaps across major organ systems.American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · 2023
    Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. New Linguistic Description Approach for Time Series and its Application to Bed Restlessness Monitoring for Eldercare.IEEE transactions on fuzzy systems : a publication of the IEEE Neural Networks Council · 2022
    Article
  15. Article
  16. Review
  17. Review
  18. Article
  19. Expert Characteristics: Implications for Expert Systems.Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2021
    Review
  20. Pattern Unifies Autism.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2021
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Mark P MattsonLaboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA.

Funding

Synaptic Plasticity In Aging And Neurodegenerative DisordersZIAAG000317 · NIA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING · PI MATTSON, MARK · 2009 to 2018
$8.5M
Cellular And Molecular Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer's DiseaseZIAAG000312 · NIA · NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING · PI MATTSON, MARK · 2009 to 2018
$6.4M
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Humans have long pondered the nature of their mind/brain and, particularly why its capacities for reasoning, communication and abstract thought are far superior to other species, including closely related anthropoids. This article considers superior pattern processing (SPP) as the fundamental basis of most, if not all, unique features of the human brain including intelligence, language, imagination, invention, and the belief in imaginary entities such as ghosts and gods. SPP involves the electrochemical, neuronal network-based, encoding, integration, and transfer to other individuals of perceived or mentally-fabricated patterns. During human evolution, pattern processing capabilities became increasingly sophisticated as the result of expansion of the cerebral cortex, particularly the prefrontal cortex and regions involved in processing of images. Specific patterns, real or imagined, are reinforced by emotional experiences, indoctrination and even psychedelic drugs. Impaired or dysregulated SPP is fundamental to cognitive and psychiatric disorders. A broader understanding of SPP mechanisms, and their roles in normal and abnormal function of the human brain, may enable the development of interventions that reduce irrational decisions and destructive behaviors.

Indexed as

evolutionhippocampuslanguage disordersneuronal networkreligion and science

Identifiers

PMID25202234
PMCPMC4141622

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.