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Coordinating what we've learned about memory consolidation: Revisiting a unified theory
Jason D Runyan1, Anthony N Moore2, Pramod K Dash2
1Psychology Department, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, 46953, USA; Lumen Research Institute, Excelsia College, Sydney, Australia.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|February 22, 2019
Summary
This review suggests that cellular consolidation in the neocortex and hippocampus occurs simultaneously, challenging traditional theories. The hippocampus is vital for developing extra-hippocampal systems that coordinate memory recall.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Memory Research
Background:
- Traditional theories posit neocortical consolidation follows hippocampal consolidation.
- Neocortical long-term plasticity (cellular consolidation) was thought to lag behind hippocampal plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for simultaneous cellular consolidation in the neocortex and hippocampus.
- To propose a unified theory of systems and cellular consolidation.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating evidence on cellular consolidation time-courses.
- Analysis of recent findings on schema formation, engram cells, and sleep's role in consolidation.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests local neocortical and hippocampal cellular consolidation occur with similar time-courses.
- The rate-limiting step for systems consolidation is likely the development of distributed extra-hippocampal systems.
Conclusions:
- The hippocampus is crucial for developing extra-hippocampal coordinating systems for memory recall.
- A unified theory integrating systems and cellular consolidation is supported by recent research.
Keywords:
Cellular consolidationEngram cellsExplicit memoryHippocampusMemory consolidationMemory schemaOptogeneticPrefrontal cortexMore Related Videos
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