Queens University faculty member Jordan Poppenk will be giving a talk in the Suedfeld Lounge on June 26th at 1:00pm. Details below:
Title: Distinguishing between anterior and posterior hippocampal contributions to
our traits and abilities
Abstract: Considerable investigation and theoretical development has sought to
distinguish the mnemonic role played by the hippocampus from that played
by other neuroanatomical structures in the medial temporal lobes. Now,
mounting evidence suggests that medial temporal lobe contributions to
human memory may be further distinguished based on distinctions within the
hippocampus itself. In particular, recent evidence suggests that anterior
and posterior extents of the structure subserve human memory in different
ways. In this talk, I will address the questions: a) in what ways is the
hippocampus functionally heterogeneous along its long (anterior to
posterior) axis; and b) how is such functional heterogeneity possible when
the internal circuitry of the hippocampus is nearly identical within its
anterior and posterior extents? To address these questions, I will
synthesize volumetric, connectivity, lesion, and functional results, and
present evidence of distinctive anterior and posterior hippocampal
contributions to a wide range of traits and abilities, from memory
retention to emotional processing and personality.
