2-086 - Heterogeneous Hippocampal Development from Childhood into Adolescence: Implications for Memory and Cognition

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

The hippocampus has been traditionally considered an early maturing brain structure with a critical and relatively age-invariant role in memory functioning during childhood. This previous work might have underestimated age-related differences because the hippocampus was examined as a whole. However, studies with adults and rodents highlight that this structure is anatomically heterogeneous. Sources of anatomical heterogeneity include volumetric variations along the anterior-posterior hippocampal axis and among hippocampal subfields (Cornus Ammonis fields and Dentate Gyrus) which possess unique cytoarchitectonic properties. The functional relevance of these differences include processing distinct aspects of memory episodes (e.g., spatial versus temporal features) or engaging in distinct operations (e.g., flexible retrieval versus rigid event reinstatement).
The 4 papers included in this international symposium provide strong evidence that developmental differences are observed from childhood into adolescence once volumetric measures capture these sources of variability. Papers 1 and 2 document unique associations between hippocampal volumes in the anterior and posterior hippocampal subregions, and episodic memory measures. Papers 2, 3, and 4 provide evidence of distinct associations between hippocampal subfields and various aspects of episodic memory. Paper 4 further extends the scope of the work reporting associations with intelligence. Cross- sectional and longitudinal evidence is provided.
These papers show that contrary to this previously held notion, the hippocampus exhibits substantial and heterogeneous structural development into adolescence, and this development is important not only for memory, but also more broadly for cognitive functioning. The discussion will focus on the implications for theories of episodic memory, learning and their development.

Sub Unit

• Attention, Learning, Memory

Chairs

• Joshua K Lee, University of California, Davis

• Simona Ghetti, Univ of California Davis

Individual Presentations

• Relations between episodic memory and hippocampal subregion volumes in early childhood - Presenting Author: Tracy Riggins, University of Maryland; Elizabeth Mulligan, Univ of Maryland College Park; Sarah Louise Blankenship, University of Maryland, College Park; Katherine Rice, University of Maryland, College Park; Elizabeth Redcay, University of Maryland, College Park

• Developmental Change in Item-Space, Item-Time, and Item-Item Relational Binding in Episodic Memory and Hippocampal Structure - Presenting Author: Joshua K Lee, University of California, Davis; John Wendelken; Silvia Bunge, University of California, Berkeley; Simona Ghetti, Univ of California Davis

• Exploration of regional hippocampus measures through development and related memory function - Presenting Author: noa ofen, Wayne State University; Ana M Daugherty, Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University

• Regional Development of Hippocampal Subfield Volumes and its Associations with Cognition and Memory - Presenting Author: Christian K Tamnes, University of Oslo; Stine Krogsrud, Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Anders M. Fjell, Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Kristine B. Walhovd, Research Group for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway.