Meet the editor

Douglas D. Burman obtained a Ph.D. in Anatomy (Neuroscience) from the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, in 1987. He completed his postgraduate studies at Yale University, Connecticut, USA, and Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. He is currently Director Emeritus of functional MRI (fMRI) services at NorthShore University Health System, Illinois, USA. Dr. Burman is skilled in electrophysiology, cognitive behavior, fMRI

(activation, connectivity), and DTI fiber tracking. He has more than fifty scientific publications to his credit.

## Contents



Preface

The hippocampus is undoubtedly the most-studied brain structure in history. Its cytoarchitecture, anatomical connections, neurochemistry and pharmacological responses, in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology across varying states of alertness and task conditions, and behavioral deficits following lesions have been studied throughout the vertebrate kingdom. With the development of neuroimaging techniques, hippocampal response properties and influences on other brain regions during a wide

variety of cognitive tasks have been explored in even greater depth in humans.

cognitive function.

Positioning System (GPS).

Following a famous surgical case in the middle of the twentieth century (patient "HM" of Scoville and Milner), the hippocampus has been widely recognized as essential for the formation of declarative and episodic memories, characterized by the subject's awareness of a unique experience. The role of the hippocampus in creating a spatial map of the environment was postulated two decades later based on the pattern of activity of its cells as rats navigated a maze; additional studies confirmed the role of the hippocampus in navigation in other species, including humans. A hippocampal role in both memory and navigation is now widely accepted. Other studies have suggested additional cognitive functions for the hippocampus; because cognitive activities generally require access to memories, however, any additional role for the hippocampus in cognition is more controversial. Factors such as aging, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) elicit changes in neurochemistry, volume, and/or neural function in the hippocampus, accompanied by observable decreases in

This book explores the functionality of the hippocampus in memory and other cognitive functions. In Section 1, Chapter 1, "Introductory Chapter: A Brief Survey of the Functional Roles of the Hippocampus", briefly reviews cognitive properties reported for the hippocampus; whereas most neural properties may be ascribed to memory, the

Section 2 further explores the functional properties of the hippocampus. Chapter 2, "Hippocampus: Its Role in Relational Memory", shows how the hippocampus can create connections between different components of an event through its extensive interconnections with diverse cortical regions. Chapter 3, "Perspective Chapter: Role of the Hippocampal Formation in Navigation from a Simultaneous Location and Mapping Perspective", draws parallels between neuronal interactions within the hippocampal formation with the methods used for navigating from satellite data in the Global

Section 3 characterizes the roles of the hippocampus during skill acquisition. Chapter 4, "The Fundamental Role of Memory Systems in Children's Writing Skills", describes writing ability in children, which develops as the hippocampus and other systems integrate knowledge from long-term memory with cognitive control over various cognitive, phonological, and motor systems. Chapter 5, "Performing Music

author concludes that its functionality extends far beyond.
