Focal lesions of human hippocampal CA1 neurons in transient global amnesia impair place memory.
A critical role in place learning has been attributed to place cells within the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) sector of the hippocampus in rodents. The role of CA1 cells in the human hippocampus with regard to place learning remains elusive. Using a virtual Morris water maze, we investigated patients with acute transient global amnesia (TGA), a rare self-limiting dysfunction of the hippocampal system. Fourteen individuals with selective and focal lesions in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus showed a profound impairment in place learning. The size of the lesions and the duration of the TGA correlated with the deficit in the performance.
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. t.bartsch@neurologie.uni-kiel.de
T
T
Bartsch
R
R
Schönfeld
F J
FJ
Müller
K
K
Alfke
B
B
Leplow
J
J
Aldenhoff
G
G
Deuschl
J M
JM
Koch
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020236:Amnesia, Transient Global / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis