Hippocampal neurons code individual episodic memories in humans

Kolibius LD, Roux F, Parish G, Ter Wal M, Van Der Plas M, Chelvarajah R, Sawlani V, Rollings DT, Lang J, Gollwitzer S, Walther K, Hopfengärtner R, Kreiselmeyer G, Hamer H, Staresina BP, Wimber M, Bowman H, Hanslmayr S (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01706-6

Abstract

The hippocampus is an essential hub for episodic memory processing. However, how human hippocampal single neurons code multi-element associations remains unknown. In particular, it is debated whether each hippocampal neuron represents an invariant element within an episode or whether single neurons bind together all the elements of a discrete episodic memory. Here we provide evidence for the latter hypothesis. Using single-neuron recordings from a total of 30 participants, we show that individual neurons, which we term episode-specific neurons, code discrete episodic memories using either a rate code or a temporal firing code. These neurons were observed exclusively in the hippocampus. Importantly, these episode-specific neurons do not reflect the coding of a particular element in the episode (that is, concept or time). Instead, they code for the conjunction of the different elements that make up the episode.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Columbia University United States (USA) (US) University of Birmingham United Kingdom (GB) University of Glasgow United Kingdom (GB) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham United Kingdom (GB) University of Oxford United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Kolibius, L.D., Roux, F., Parish, G., Ter Wal, M., Van Der Plas, M., Chelvarajah, R.,... Hanslmayr, S. (2023). Hippocampal neurons code individual episodic memories in humans. Nature Human Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01706-6

MLA:

Kolibius, Luca D., et al. "Hippocampal neurons code individual episodic memories in humans." Nature Human Behaviour (2023).

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