The role of mediotemporal structures in the interaction of working memory and long-term memory

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Jürgen Fell
• Subject Area: Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2008 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 72229919

Clinical and lesion data, as well as results from imaging and intracranial EEG studies, have shown that mediotemporal lobe (MTL) structures are essential for the initial processes underlying declarative long-term memory (LTM) formation. Our own previous data indicated that in particular synchronization processes between rhinal cortex and hippocampus are crucial for successful LTM formation. Traditionally, MTL structures were thought to specifically support LTM, but not working memory (WM). Recent findings, however, have demonstrated that MTL structures are involved in WM processes as well, in particular, when WM leads to LTM formation. We propose to investigate the interaction between WM and LTM by MTL depth recordings in presurgical epilepsy patients. This approach provides direct information about neural processes in the MTL in humans with a temporal and spatial precision unmatched by other methods. Patients will perform four event-related experiments that comprise both, WM and LTM processing. The aim is to specify EEG characteristics, in particular oscillatory patterns, which accompany correct vs. incorrect WM processing in combination with successful vs. non-successful LTM formation. These data will shed new light on the neural bases and the mechanisms of interaction of WM and LTM.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Christian E. Elger