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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2002-10, Vol.25 (10), p.501-505
Main Authors: Wittenberg, Gayle M., Tsien, Joe Z.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Brain
Central nervous system
Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors
Cognition & reasoning
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hippocampus
Hippocampus - physiology
Humans
Long-Term Potentiation
Memory
Memory - physiology
Models, Neurological
Neurology
Neurons - physiology
NMDA Receptor
Reactivation
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Sleep
SRR
Synapses - physiology
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary: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. The synaptic re-entry reinforcement (SRR) hypothesis suggests a role for NMDA-receptor dependent synaptic plasticity during the reactivation or recall of previously learned memories, and explains why this could be crucial for memory conslidation.
ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/S0166-2236(02)02231-2