Distinct cortical anatomy linked to subregions of the medial temporal lobe revealed by intrinsic functional connectivity. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The hippocampus and adjacent cortical structures in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) contribute to memory through interactions with distributed brain areas. Studies of monkey and rodent anatomy suggest that parallel pathways converge on distinct subregions of the MTL. To explore the cortical areas linked to subregions of the MTL in humans, we examined cortico-cortical and hippocampal-cortical correlations using high-resolution, functional connectivity analysis in 100 individuals. MTL seed regions extended along the anterior to posterior axis and included hippocampus and adjacent structures. Results revealed two separate brain pathways that correlated with distinct subregions within the MTL. The body of the hippocampus and posterior parahippocampal cortex correlated with lateral parietal cortex, regions along the posterior midline including posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex, and ventral medial prefrontal cortex. By contrast, anterior hippocampus and the perirhinal/entorhinal cortices correlated with distinct regions in the lateral temporal cortex extending into the temporal pole. The present results are largely consistent with known connectivity in the monkey and provide a novel task-independent dissociation of the parallel pathways supporting the MTL memory system in humans. The cortical pathways include regions that have undergone considerable areal expansion in humans, providing insight into how the MTL memory system has evolved to support a diverse array of cognitive domains.

publication date

  • July 1, 2008

has subject area

has restriction

  • green

Date in CU Experts

  • March 13, 2015 11:23 AM

Full Author List

  • Kahn I; Andrews-Hanna JR; Vincent JL; Snyder AZ; Buckner RL

author count

  • 5

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0022-3077

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 129

end page

  • 139

volume

  • 100

issue

  • 1