New concepts are temporarily encoded in groups of neurons in which part of the brain?

New concepts are temporarily encoded in groups of neurons primarily within the hippocampus in the brain. The hippocampus is a critical structure for the formation of new memories and is part of the brain's limbic system. When we learn new information, the hippocampus helps to encode it into short-term memory. This process involves the creation of temporary neural networks or patterns of activation among neurons that represent the new concepts being learned.

The encoding of new concepts often requires interaction with other areas of the brain, such as the cortex, particularly related to the specific type of information. For example, visual information may involve the visual cortex, while auditory information would engage the auditory cortex. Over time, with repeated exposure and consolidation, memories transition from the hippocampus to more permanent storage in the neocortex, allowing for long-term retention of knowledge.

In summary, while the hippocampus plays a key role in the temporary encoding of new concepts, the process of learning and memory involves intricate collaborations across multiple brain regions.