Response Properties of Lateral Entorhinal Cortex Neurons During Associative Learning

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9614256 Otto Accumulating evidence suggest that the parahippocampal cortical region plays an important role in memory processes, the precise contribution of the parahippocampal cortical region to normal memory, and the way in which damage to this area impairs memory, is poorly understood. The proposed studies entail a systematic investigation of the role of the parahippocampal cortical region in memory processes. An initial series of studies involve the development of an associative memory task that based on neuroanatomical considerations, will actively engage and critically depend on neural circuitry within the parahippocampal cortical region. The remaining studies entail an electrophysiological examination of the response properties of individual neurons within the parahippocampal cortical region during learning of this task. It is expected that these cells will change their response patterns during learning such that they will become more responsive to stimuli used during training, reflecting a learning-induced "plasticity" of responsiveness. These data will provide valuable insight into the ways in which the parahippocampal cortical region participates in memory processes in general.