Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have identified specific neurons responsible for storing and recalling “what” happened during an event. This discovery sheds light on how the brain classifies and remembers new information, particularly when linked to rewards or punishments.
The study found that item-outcome neurons in the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) are essential for learning. These neurons become active when exposed to specific odors associated with rewards or negative outcomes. The researchers also discovered that the LEC is tightly connected with another brain region, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which plays a crucial role in forming mental maps.
The study’s findings suggest that the LEC and mPFC work together to encode item memory. When the activity of LEC neurons was inhibited, those in the mPFC failed to properly distinguish between positive and negative items, leading to impaired learning. Conversely, when the mPFC neurons were inhibited, the ability of the LEC to keep item memories separate was disrupted, impairing learning and item memory recall.
This study may have implications for understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease, as it suggests that item memory neurons in the LEC lose their activity in the condition. The researchers propose that finding a way to reactivate these neurons could lead to targeted therapeutic interventions.
Reference: “Prefrontal and lateral entorhinal neurons co-dependently learn item–outcome rules” by Heechul Jun, Jason Y. Lee, Nicholas R. Bleza, Ayana Ichii, Jordan D. Donohue and Kei M. Igarashi, 21 August 2024, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07868-1
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/new-alzheimers-target-discovered-scientists-identify-neurons-behind-item-memory/