The link between memory and attention has long been recognized; however, the precise signal that serves to select stimuli for further mnemonic processing has yet to be identified. Since attention can be rapidly oriented from one stimulus to another, the signal that initiates subsequent mnemonic processing must be closely tied to the events within conscious attention at all times to ensure that storage is properly aligned with content (Posner, 1984). Postrhinal cortex, the rodent homologue of the primate parahippocampal cortex, has diffuse anatomical connections with neural regions associated with memory and attention systems (Burwell and Amaral, 1998b). This places postrhinal cortex in an ideal position to interface these two systems. Additionally, current behavioral and electrophysiological data suggest that postrhinal cortex has a role in the orienting of attention (Bucci and Burwell, in press; Burwell and Hafeman, 2003). The goal of the proposed study is to delineate the afferent connectivity of postrhinal cortex and characterize the behavioral significance of this region's role in cognitive processing using single unit recording techniques in behaving rats.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH072144-02
Application #
7118256
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02B (20))
Program Officer
Curvey, Mary F
Project Start
2005-06-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2006-06-01
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$27,247
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
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Agster, Kara L; Tomás Pereira, Inês; Saddoris, Michael P et al. (2016) Subcortical connections of the perirhinal, postrhinal, and entorhinal cortices of the rat. II. efferents. Hippocampus 26:1213-30
Lech, Robert K; Suchan, Boris (2013) The medial temporal lobe: memory and beyond. Behav Brain Res 254:45-9
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Agster, Kara L; Burwell, Rebecca D (2009) Cortical efferents of the perirhinal, postrhinal, and entorhinal cortices of the rat. Hippocampus 19:1159-86
Furtak, Sharon C; Wei, Shau-Ming; Agster, Kara L et al. (2007) Functional neuroanatomy of the parahippocampal region in the rat: the perirhinal and postrhinal cortices. Hippocampus 17:709-22