title: CA1 neurons in the human hippocampus are critical for autobiographical memory, mental time travel, and autonoetic consciousness.
abstract: Autobiographical memories in our lives are critically dependent on temporal lobe structures. However, the contribution of CA1 neurons in the human hippocampus to the retrieval of episodic autobiographical memory remains elusive. In patients with a rare acute transient global amnesia, highly focal lesions confined to the CA1 field of the hippocampus can be detected on MRI. We studied the effect of these lesions on autobiographical memory using a detailed autobiographical interview including the remember/know procedure. In 14 of 16 patients, focal lesions in the CA1 sector of the hippocampal cornu ammonis were detected. Autobiographical memory was significantly affected over all time periods, including memory for remote periods. Impairment of episodic memory and autonoetic consciousness exhibited a strong temporal gradient extending 30 to 40 y into the past. These results highlight the distinct and critical role of human hippocampal CA1 neurons in autobiographical memory retrieval and for re-experiencing detailed episodic memories.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany. t.bartsch@neurologie.uni-kiel.de
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Bartsch
authors: Juliane
authors: J
authors: Döhring
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Rohr
authors: Olav
authors: O
authors: Jansen
authors: Günther
authors: G
authors: Deuschl
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020236:Amnesia, Transient Global / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors