Open AccessRapid coordination of effective learning by the human hippocampus
Author(s) -
James E. Kragel,
Stephan Schuele,
Stephen VanHaerents,
Joshua M. Rosenow,
Joel L. Voss
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.928
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 2375-2548
DOI - 10.1126/sciadv.abf7144
Subject(s) - hippocampus , hippocampal formation , counterintuitive , neuroscience , eye movement , perception , short term memory , computer science , long term memory , memory formation , term (time) , cognitive psychology , encoding (memory) , psychology , cognition , working memory , physics , quantum mechanics
Although the human hippocampus is necessary for long-term memory, controversial findings suggest that it may also support short-term memory in the service of guiding effective behaviors during learning. We tested the counterintuitive theory that the hippocampus contributes to long-term memory through remarkably short-term processing, as reflected in eye movements during scene encoding. While viewing scenes for the first time, short-term retrieval operative within the episode over only hundreds of milliseconds was indicated by a specific eye-movement pattern, which was effective in that it enhanced spatiotemporal memory formation. This viewing pattern was predicted by hippocampal theta oscillations recorded from depth electrodes and by shifts toward top-down influence of hippocampal theta on activity within visual perception and attention networks. The hippocampus thus supports short-term memory processing that coordinates behavior in the service of effective spatiotemporal learning.