Differentiation of memory operations along the hippocampal long axis

在这里，我提出了一个认知神经科学研究计划，关注前海马（aHPC）和后海马（pHPC）对人类认知的独特贡献。海马体是一种已知的对人类和动物的长期记忆、导航和其他功能很重要的大脑结构。虽然海马体的内部电路从前到后以类似的方式组织，但目前尚不清楚为什么只有pHPC的损伤会影响大多数记忆测试中的表现。部分由于这种对记忆丧失的抵抗力，顽固性癫痫发作（与海马体有关）有时通过切除aHPC而保留大部分pHPC来治疗。***虽然aHPC不能预测记忆测试中通常测量的详细记忆，但我最近的试验数据将它与一种不同的“模糊”记忆联系起来，这种记忆可能用于“放大”其他方式无法访问的详细记忆。aHPC较高的人似乎有更好的模糊记忆，而pHPC较高的人则有更好的细节记忆。aHPC还预测了与传统记忆无关的各种领域的特征和能力，比如前庭处理、导航，甚至人格。为了适应这些不同的关系，我最近首次提出了一个海马体功能的综合理论模型，将aHPC和pHPC的各种已知功能与它们独特的物理组成和神经连接联系起来。这个模型的预测如果得到证实，将极大地促进我们对海马运作基本原理的理解。由于这种大脑结构对许多领域都有贡献，这一进展将对其他研究记忆、导航、情感、感觉、人格、衰老和许多其他领域的研究人员产生影响。***拟议的研究计划的目的是解决由aHPC和pHPC贡献的内存的性质；这些是如何构成各种认知能力和特征的基础的；aHPC和pHPC的神经解剖学特征预测记忆；以及aHPC和pHPC在正常运行中如何相互作用。两名研究生将在该项目中接受密集的计算认知神经科学训练，结合前沿分析技术的学习和理论专业知识的发展。13名本科论文学生也将获得相关的曝光。除了理论进步之外，这项工作将表征健康成年人许多特征和能力的生物标志物。更好地了解aHPC和pHPC也将有助于癫痫患者做出更明智的决定，决定是否进行神经外科手术，以及更好地预测中风患者和老年或痴呆海马萎缩患者的认知缺陷。反过来，这将促进为解决这些缺陷而量身定制的认知项目的实施。* * * * * * * *

Here I propose a cognitive neuroscience research program concerned with the distinct contributions of anterior hippocampus (aHPC) and posterior hippocampus (pHPC) to human cognition. The hippocampus is a brain structure with known importance for long-term memory, navigation, and other functions in humans and animals. In spite of its central importance in cognition, it is not known why, while internal circuitry of the hippocampus is organized in a similar fashion from front to back, only damage to pHPC impacts performance in most memory tests. In part because of this resistance to memory loss, intractable epileptic seizures, in which the hippocampus is implicated, are sometimes treated by removing aHPC but preserving much of pHPC.***While aHPC does not predict the detailed memory typically measured in memory tests, my recent pilot data links it to a different, "fuzzy" memory that may be used to "zoom in" on detailed memories not otherwise accessible. People with larger aHPC appear to have better fuzzy memory, and those with larger pHPC better detail memory. aHPC also predicts traits and abilities in a variety of domains not traditionally associated with memory, such as vestibular processing, navigation, and even personality. To accommodate these varied relationships, I recently proposed an integrative theoretical model of hippocampal function linking, for the first time, the varied known functions of aHPC and pHPC with their distinctive physical compositions and neural connections. The predictions of this model, if confirmed, would greatly advance our understanding of fundamental principles of hippocampal operation. As this brain structure contributes to many domains, this advance would be influential to other researchers studying memory, navigation, emotion, sensation, personality, aging, and many other domains.***The aims of the proposed research program address the nature of memory contributed by aHPC and pHPC; how these may underlie a wide variety of cognitive abilities and traits; what neuroanatomical features of aHPC and pHPC predict memory; and how aHPC and pHPC may interact in normal operation. Two graduate students will receive intensive computational cognitive neuroscience training in this program, incorporating learning of cutting-edge analytic techniques plus development of theoretical expertise. Thirteen undergraduate thesis students will also gain relevant exposure.***Beyond theoretical advances, the work will characterize biomarkers of many traits and abilities in healthy adults. Better knowledge about aHPC and pHPC will also contribute to more informed decisions by epilepsy patients about whether to proceed with neurosurgery, as well as better anticipation of cognitive deficits in stroke patients, and aged or demented patients with hippocampal atrophy. This, in turn, will facilitate implementation of cognitive programs tailored to address these deficits. ********