Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
08:52
Novel Object Recognition Test for the Investigation of Learning and Memory in Mice
Published on: August 30, 2017
78.9K
Significance of objects in the perirhinal cortex.
Marika C Inhoff1, Charan Ranganath1
1Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|May 17, 2015
Summary
The perirhinal cortex is crucial for object recognition and visual perception. New research indicates it may also evaluate object significance based on context.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The perirhinal cortex is recognized for its established roles in memory and visual processing.
- Understanding its full functional repertoire remains an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the perirhinal cortex in evaluating object significance.
- To explore context-dependent functions of the perirhinal cortex.
Main Methods:
- Single-unit recordings were employed to monitor neural activity.
- The study focused on object perception within varying contextual environments.
Main Results:
- Neural activity in the perirhinal cortex demonstrated sensitivity to object significance.
- This significance evaluation was shown to be dependent on the surrounding context.
Conclusions:
- The perirhinal cortex appears to play a role beyond recognition memory and visual perception.
- It contributes to evaluating the contextual significance of objects.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Olfaction
50.0K
The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
50.0K
01:19Role of Hippocampus in Memory
2.1K
The hippocampus, a critical brain structure, plays an essential role in memory processing, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memory. This small, seahorse-shaped region is located within the medial temporal lobe, with one hippocampus in each brain hemisphere. Experimental studies involving lesions in the hippocampi of rats have demonstrated significant impairments in tasks such as object recognition and maze navigation, indicating the hippocampus involvement in both recognition and...
2.1K
01:20Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
14.3K
Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
The olfactory...
14.3K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
10.7K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
10.7K
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
9.3K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
9.3K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
9.3K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
9.3K