Functional Neuroanatomy of the Cortico-Parahippocampal-Hippocampal Memory System.

Memory is a property of distributed networks in the mammalian cortex. While the permanent storage of episodic memories is likely to take place at distributed locations in the neocortex, fast acquisition of such memories depends critically on the (para)hip pocampal system. This dependence reflects in part the position of the (para)hippocampus at the apex of the cortical hierarchy, receiving inputs from all association areas of the neocortex and feeding output back to the very same areas. The exact computati ons performed on the variety of cortical inputs within the (para)hippocampal system remain elusive, however. This situation reflects partly the fact that the system comprises multiple parallel and nested pathways which interact at several levels throughou t the system. Our aim to understand the function of these interconnected neuronal networks strongly depends on insights into their wiring. Previous detailed anatomical analyses of my group have paved the way to functional concepts that have proven to be of use to guide multidisciplinary research. These include the concept of parallel closed loops? as the substrate for reverberation, as well as functional differentiation within the hippocampal formation, and the entorhinal cortex. These have in turn lead to testable hypothesis how memory is mediated in humans, as well as what is wrong with disease-altered networks, such as in case of epilepsy or Alzheimers Disease. In order to continue this successful integration of structural and functional studies withi n the framework of CBM, we need to use state of the art anatomical approaches. This proposal aims to provide us with the essential modules of a "state-of-the-art" tailored microscopical imaging unit.