Comparative Analysis of the Cortical Afferents, Intrinsic Projections, and Interconnections of the Parahippocampal Region in Monkeys and Rats

Abstract

Detailed neuroanatomical studies that focused on the connections of the medial temporal lobe in monkeys provided critical clues toward identifying the structures important for normal declarative memory. These structures include the hippocampus together with the surrounding and strongly interconnected entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices. Detailed anatomical descriptions of the connections of the analogous cortical regions in rats suggest both similarities and differences in the connections of these cortical medial temporal lobe areas across species. In this chapter we will review the quantitative anatomical studies describing the cortical inputs, intrinsic projections, and interconnections of the entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices in monkeys and rats. A detailed understanding of the cross-species similarities and differences in the anatomical organization of these regions can provide valuable insight into understanding the core mnemonic functions of these areas.