Hippocampus and neocortex: recognition and spatial memory

Recognition and spatial memory are typically associated with the perirhinal cortex and hippocampal formation, respectively. Solely focusing on these structures for these specific mnemonic functions may, however, be limiting progress in the field. The distinction between these subdivisions of memory is becoming less defined as, for example, hippocampal cells traditionally considered to encode locations also encode place–object associations. There is increasing evidence for the involvement of overlapping networks of brain structures for aspects of both spatial and recognition memory. Future models of spatial and recognition memory will have to extend beyond the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex to incorporate a wider network of cortical and subcortical structures.

Research highlights► Recognition and spatial memory are typically associated with the perirhinal cortex and hippocampal formation, respectively. ► There is increasing evidence for the involvement of overlapping networks of brain structures for components of both spatial and recognition memory. ► Research into object–context associations has shown how hippocampal spatial representations contribute to wider aspects of memory. ► Future models of spatial and recognition memory need to extend beyond the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex.