Response Properties of Lateral Entorhinal Cortex Neurons During Associative Learning

越来越多的证据表明，海马旁皮质区在记忆过程中起着重要作用，海马旁皮质区对正常记忆的确切贡献，以及该区域的损伤如何损害记忆，目前尚不清楚。提出的研究需要对海马旁皮质区在记忆过程中的作用进行系统的调查。最初的一系列研究涉及基于神经解剖学考虑的联想记忆任务的发展，将积极参与并严格依赖于海马旁皮层区域内的神经回路。其余的研究需要电生理检查海马旁皮层区域内单个神经元在学习该任务期间的反应特性。预计这些细胞将在学习过程中改变它们的反应模式，使它们对训练过程中使用的刺激更敏感，反映出学习诱导的反应性“可塑性”。这些数据将为海马体旁皮质区参与记忆过程的方式提供有价值的见解。

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.