title: Rediscovering area CA2: unique properties and functions.
abstract: Hippocampal area CA2 has several features that distinguish it from CA1 and CA3, including a unique gene expression profile, failure to display long-term potentiation and relative resistance to cell death. A recent increase in interest in the CA2 region, combined with the development of new methods to define and manipulate its neurons, has led to some exciting new discoveries on the properties of CA2 neurons and their role in behaviour. Here, we review these findings and call attention to the idea that the definition of area CA2 ought to be revised in light of gene expression data.
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Serena M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dudek
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Georgia M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056651:CA2 Region, Hippocampal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior