The role of the fornix/fimbria and some related subcortical structures in place learning and memory

doi:10.1016/S0166-4328(89)80059-2

Behavioural Brain Research

Volume 32, Issue 3, 1 April 1989, Pages 265-277

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4328(89)80059-2 Get rights and content

Place learning and memory were assessed in rats with selective damage to the fornix/fimbria or to subcortical structures which have a major connection with the hippocampal formation via the fornix/fimbria. Navigation to a hidden or visible platform in a fixed location was studied in the Morris water task in rats who were preoperatively trained in the task or who were preoperatively naive. All rats learned to navigate accurately to a visible platform. Only complete transection of the fornix/fimbria abolished both acquisition and retention of navigation to a hidden platform. Severe impairment of postoperative acquisition was produced by bilateral damage to the medial nucleus accumbens or bilateral damage to the anterior thalamic area. Nucleus accumbens or anterior thalamic damage produced little effect on retention of preoperatively acquired place navigation. Damage to medial septum or mammillary complex produced modest impairments evident only in postoperative acquisition.

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These include sensory thalamic and cortical areas, prefrontal and cingulate cortex, amygdala and medial striatum. The subcortical areas include the septum, mammillary bodies, and anterior thalamus (for review see White & McDonald, 2002; Sutherland & Rodriguez, 1989; Sutherland, Whishaw, & Kolb, 1988). The cue/place version of the water task has been used as a sensitive assay of the integrity of these complex parallel neural circuits necessary for instrumental and spatial learning.
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The role of the fornix/fimbria and some related subcortical structures in place learning and memory

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Neuroscience

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Behav. Biol.

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Learn. Motiv.

Behav. Neur. Biol.

Brain Res.

Exp. Neurol.

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Lett.

Neurosci. Lett.

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Neuroscience

An executive function of the hippocampus. Pathway selection for thalamic neuronal significance code

Selective hippocampal lesions and behavior: implications for current research and theorizing

On the role of the hippocampal connections in the performance of place and cue tasks: comparison with damage to the hippocampus

Behav. Neurosci.

The distribution of the projection from the hippocampal formation to the nucleus accumbens in the rat: an anterograde and retrograde horseradish peroxidase study

Neuroscience

Medial septal lesions disrupt spatial mapping ability in rats

Behav. Neurosci.