Mapping MTL Contributions to Declarative Memory

描述（由申请人提供）：记忆研究的一个核心问题是内侧颞叶（MTL）的组成结构如何在长期记忆的获得、保持和检索中发挥不同的作用。结合高分辨率功能磁共振成像和皮层平坦化技术，使这些小的，相邻的结构区分成为可能，提出的研究调查了关于MTL功能专业化的假设。所提出的实验专门研究了基于MTL连接解剖学的假设，包括其与感觉皮质区域的连接以及其内在的层次连接。皮层信息进入MTL的分离表明，不同的MTL子区域可能维持不同类型的记忆表征，因为每个区域都有一组独特的输入，允许不同的感觉收敛和整合模式，支持不同类型的表征能力。此外，MTL加工的层次性质表明，不同层次的结构在陈述性记忆中起着不同的作用。首先，我们将测试MTL子区域的编码反应和随后的记忆预测是否依赖于每个子区域接收到的皮质信息。其次，我们将研究不同的MTL子区域在编码和检索时如何参与项目记忆和关系记忆。最后，我们将考虑MTL子区域如何有助于获取和使用连词信息。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A central question in memory research is how component structures of medial temporal lobe (MTL) differentially contribute to acquisition, retention, and retrieval of long-term memories. Using a combination of high-resolution fMRI and cortical flattening techniques that make differentiation of these small, adjacent structures possible, the proposed research investigates hypotheses regarding functional specialization within MTL. The proposed experiments specifically investigate hypotheses based on the connectional anatomy of MTL, both in terms of its connectivity to sensory cortical regions and its intrinsic hierarchical connectivity. The segregation of cortical information entering MTL suggests that different MTL subregions may maintain different types of memory representations since each region has a unique set of inputs allowing for a distinctive pattern of sensory convergence and integration that support different types of representational capabilities. In addition, the hierarchical nature of processing in MTL suggests that structures at different hierarchical levels play distinct roles in declarative memory. First, we will test whether encoding responses and subsequent memory prediction of MTL subregions depend on cortical information that each subregion receives. Second, we will examine how different MTL subregions are involved in item and relational memory at encoding and retrieval. Finally, we will consider how MTL subregions contribute to acquisition and use of conjunctive information.