Olfactory memory: a bridge between humans and animals in models of cognitive aging.
Odor-recognition memory in rodents may provide a valuable model of cognitive aging. In a recent study we used signal detection analyses to distinguish odor recognition based on recollection versus that based on familiarity. Aged rats were selectively impaired in recollection, with relative sparing of familiarity, and the deficits in recollection were correlated with spatial memory impairments. These results complement electrophysiological findings indicating age-associated deficits in the ability of hippocampal neurons to differentiate contextual information, and this information-processing impairment may underlie the common age-associated decline in olfactory and spatial memory.
Eichenbaum
Howard
H
Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. hbe@bu.edu
Robitsek
R Jonathan
RJ
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats; D012903:Smell
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