Hippocampal-medial prefrontal circuit supports memory updating during learning and post-encoding rest.

ABSTRACT: Learning occurs in the context of existing memories. Encountering new information that relates to prior knowledge may trigger integration, whereby established memories are updated to incorporate new content. Here, we provide a critical test of recent theories suggesting hippocampal (HPC) and medial prefrontal (MPFC) involvement in integration, both during and immediately following encoding. Human participants with established memories for a set of initial (AB) associations underwent fMRI scanning during passive rest and encoding of new related (BC) and unrelated (XY) pairs. We show that HPC-MPFC functional coupling during learning was more predictive of trial-by-trial memory for associations related to prior knowledge relative to unrelated associations. Moreover, the degree to which HPC-MP

SUBMITTER: Schlichting ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4879117 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature