Emulation : a central function
In the brain, the frontoparietal network is activated by very disparate tasks: planning and executing motor activities, eye movements, mental calculation, etc.
In an article published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, a HUG and University of Geneva team presented a hypothesis according to which all of these cognitive functions are based on a single central function, known as emulation.
The brain reinforces its motor skills by creating a dynamic abstract picture of movements, mentally manipulating this representation and ensuring that it is maintained for a short period.
The hope is to use this strategy to rehabilitate damaged motor functions in people with brain damage.