Hippocampus cognitive deficits

Studies of the hippocampus in schizophrenia recapitulate this pattern structural changes of the hippocampus are now one of the most consistent findings in the entire schizophrenia research literature, while a separate line of investigation (and speculation) has provided evidence for a role of the hippocampus in the generation of psychotic symptoms and cognitive deficits (Heckers, 2001 Heckers and Konradi, 2002). 

Here, we review the abnormalities of hippocampal structure and function in schizophrenia and consider how they can give rise to memory deficits and psychotic symptoms. While it is unlikely that the hippocampus is the sole locus of pathology in schizophrenia, there is now compelling evidence that (1) hippocampal volume and shape are abnormal early on in the disease process, (2) specific regions of the hippocampus show alterations of neuronal gene expression, protein expression, and cell number, and (3) cognitive deficits and the experience of psychotic symptoms are linked to abnormalities of hippocampal function. 

Zhang J, Zhen YF, Pu-Bu-Ci R, Song LG, Kong WN, Shao TM et al (2013) Salidroside attenuates beta amyloid-induced cognitive deficits via modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in rat hippocampus. Behav Brain Res 244 70-81... 

TBI activates several protein kinase signaling pathways in the hippocampus that are critical for hippocampal-dependent memory formation. In particular, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a protein kinase activated during and necessary for hippocampal-dependent learning, is transiently activated after TBI. However, TBI patients experience hippocampal-dependent cognitive deficits that occur for several months to years after the initial injury. Although basal activation levels... 

Hicks, R.R., Smith, D.H., Lowenstein, D.H., et al., 1993. Mild experimental brain injury in the rat induces cognitive deficits associated with regional neuronal loss in the hippocampus. J. Neurotrauma 10,405-414. 

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