An emerging molecular and cellular framework for memory processing by the hippocampus.

Full Abstract

The hippocampus plays a central role in memory consolidation, a process for converting short-term memory into cortically stored, long-lasting memory in the mammalian brain. Here, we review recent data and discuss the 'synaptic re-entry reinforcement' (SRR) hypothesis, which can account for the role of the hippocampus in memory consolidation at both the molecular and systems levels. The central idea of the SRR hypothesis is that reactivation of neural ensembles in the hippocampus during the consolidation period results in multiple rounds of NMDA-receptor-dependent synaptic reinforcement of the hippocampal memory traces created during initial learning. In addition, such reactivation and reinforcement processes permit the hippocampus to act as a 'coincidence regenerator', providing coordinated input that drives the coherent reactivation of cortical neurons, resulting in the progressive strengthening of cortical memory traces through reactivation of cortical NMDA receptors.

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Author information

Author/s: Wittenberg, Gayle M (GM); Tsien, Joe Z (JZ);

Affiliation: Dept. of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Trends in neurosciences (Trends Neurosci), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 25 (issue 10) : pp 501-5

Dates: Created 2002/09/10; Completed 2002/10/29; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12220877, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Hippocampus - physiology
Humans
Memory - physiology
Models, Neurological

Models, Neurological
Neurons - physiology
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Synapses - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (0)

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