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A Comprehensive Protocol for Manual Segmentation of the Medial Temporal Lobe Structures
Published on: July 2, 2014
Current Topics Regarding the Function of the Medial Temporal Lobe Memory System
1Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA. reclark@ucsd.edu.
Abstract:
The first clear insight that the medial temporal lobe of the human brain was in fact a system of anatomically connected structures that were organized into a memory system came in 1957 from the observations by Brenda Milner of the noted amnesic patient H.M. Subsequent work in humans, monkeys, and rodents has identified all of the components of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) that formed the memory system. Currently, work is ongoing to identify the specific contributions each structure in the medial temporal lobe makes towards the formation and storage of long-term declarative memory. The historical background of this work is described including what insights the study of noted neurologic patients H.M. and E.P. provided for understanding the function of the medial temporal lobe. The development of an animal model of medial temporal lobe function is described. Additionally, the insights that lead to the understanding that the brain contains multiple, anatomically discrete, memory systems are described. Finally, three current topics of debate are addressed: First, does the perirhinal cortex exclusively support memory, or does it support both memory and higher order visual perception? Second, is there an anatomical separation between recollection and familiarity ? Third, is the organization of spatial memory different between humans and rats, or perhaps the difference is between the working memory capacities of the two species?
Insights
The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a key brain system for memory. Research has identified its structures and their roles in forming long-term declarative memories.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurobiology
Background:
- The medial temporal lobe (MTL) was recognized as a memory system in 1957 through patient H.M.
- Subsequent research in humans and animals identified MTL components crucial for memory.
- Studies of patients H.M. and E.P. provided critical insights into MTL function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development of understanding the MTL memory system.
- To discuss the creation of animal models for studying MTL function.
- To explore current debates regarding MTL structure-function relationships.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of neurological patient studies (H.M., E.P.).
- Analysis of comparative neuroanatomy in humans, monkeys, and rodents.
- Examination of ongoing research into memory formation and storage within the MTL.
Main Results:
- Identification of key MTL structures involved in declarative memory.
- Establishment of animal models to investigate MTL memory processes.
- Evidence for multiple, distinct memory systems in the brain.
Conclusions:
- The MTL is a complex memory system with identifiable components.
- Ongoing research aims to clarify the precise role of each MTL structure.
- Current debates focus on the perirhinal cortex function, recollection vs. familiarity, and species-specific spatial memory organization.
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