Investigating human medial temporal representations of episodic information: A multi-modal approach
by Suthana, Nanthia Ananda, Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, 2009, 113 pages; 3384067

Abstract:

Through multi-modal investigation of medial temporal lobe (MTL) function using high-resolution structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrophysiological recordings, and imaging genetics, this dissertation investigates various remaining questions on the role of the hippocampal subregions during episodic learning and memory. Learning and recalling information from personal experiences (episodic) is central for everyday living; damage to the MTL results in an inability to learn new episodic information. This dissertation presents data from four experiments investigating the role of medial temporal structures during the learning and recall of episodic information. Using high-resolution functional MRI, we show that blood-oxygenated-level-dependent (BOLD) activity increases within the CA3 and dentate gyrus regions during encoding of novel associated contextual information of an episode and increases within the subiculum during retrieval of this learned information. Hippocampal CA1 activity increases and correlates to performance during learning of allocentric (viewpoint-independent) spatial information. Single neurons within the CA3 and dentate gyms differentiate in firing rate to similar episodes stored in memory. Additionally, these regions show BOLD decreases during episodic learning in older individuals who are genetically at-risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Overall, this dissertation supports the idea that separate hippocampal subregions contribute differently during the learning and recall of episodic information.

 
AdviserSusan Y. Bookheimer
SchoolUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
SourceDAI/B 70-11, p. , Dec 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsNeurosciences
Publication Number3384067
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3384067
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.