Functional magnetic resonance imaging shows how activity within different regions of the hippocampus correlates with memory formation

Extremely high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging has allowed researchers to detect changes in blood flow within the hippocampus during the process of memory formation, according to an article in the January 24th issue of Science. The study focused on differential blood flow within the hippocampus as 10 healthy human volunteers learned to associate names with faces.

The study identified two regions --- the cornu ammonis and the dentate gyrus --- as highly active only during encoding of the face/name pairs. This activity decreased as associations were learned. The subiculum was active primarily during retrieval of the face/name associations. Activity in the subiculum decreased as retrieval became more practiced.

Previous studies have demonstrated the importance the hippocampus in forming memories. However, no previous studies have directly examined how activity patterns within specific regions change during learning.

"Our findings demonstrate that memory formation is a dynamic process, with subdivisions within the hippocampus making distinct but changing contributions as learning takes place," said lead author Michael M. Zeineh, Ph.D. "Brain activity increases as information is introduced, then diminishes as the new information becomes better learned.

"As knowledge about the brain's complex circuitry grows, neuroscientists will be better able to understand and address a host of debilitating neurological disorders, from Alzheimer's disease to epilepsy to damage caused by head injuries," Zeineh said.




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