Speaker:

Dr. Kevin Pang
Department of Neurosciences, New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ

Title:

Functional dissection of the medial septum in learning and memory

Abstract:

Normal aging and Alzheimer’s Disease are characterized by progressive learning and memory impairments.  One of the earliest brain areas to demonstrate changes in these processes is the basal forebrain including the medial septum and the nucleus basalis.  Much research has focused on the medial septum because of its projections to the hippocampus, a brain structure noted for its contribution in learning and memory.  The major projections from the medial septum to the hippocampus arise from cholinergic and GABAergic neurons.  The research presented will address how neurons of the medial septum influence hippocampal processing and thereby modulate specific aspects of learning and memory.