Posterior parietal cortex: an interface between attention and learning?
The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) of rats has most recently been defined based on patterns of thalamic and cortical connectivity. The anatomical characteristics of this area suggest that it may be homologous to the PPC of primates and contribute to similar functions. This review summarizes evidence for and against a role for the rat PPC in attention and working memory and evaluates how the function of the rat PPC compares to that of primates on these dimensions. Theories of how the rat PPC contributes to behavior are presented, including the notion that PPC may serve as an interface between attention and learning. Finally, several avenues for future research are considered.
Bucci
David J
DJ
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. david.j.bucci@dartmouth.edu
D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009949:Orientation; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology