The cognitive thalamus: more than a relay

Research on the biological basis of episodic memory has traditionally focused on the functioning of the hippocampus, a brain structure in the medial temporal lobe. Professors Aggleton and O'Mara are interested in studying how other brain areas play important roles in the formation, maintenance and recall of episodic memories. They are particularly interested in the thalamus, a structure in the middle of the brain. Their recent research has shown that neurons in the thalamus signal multiple types of spatial information, providing new insight into why this area might be so critical for memory. Professors Aggleton and O'Mara plan to elucidate the path that spatial information travels to reach the thalamus and to determine the impact of thalamic neurons on spatial memories. This work could help explain how networks of brain areas beyond the medial temporal lobes work with the hippocampus to shape memory.