Is the avian hippocampus a functional homologue of the mammalian hippocampus?

Colombo, Michael; Broadbent, Nicola

doi:10.1016/s0149-7634(00)00016-6

Cited by 214 publications

(169 citation statements)

References 153 publications

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“…For spatial memory in particular, the Hp plays a major role in the acquisition and retrieval of memories. The Hp of birds and mammals is believed to be homologous (for a review, see Colombo & Broadbent 2000;Smulders & DeVoogd 2000) and the importance of the Hp in spatial memory processing is well demonstrated in both birds and mammals. For example, some experiments show that Hp lesions prevent the acquisition of new spatial memories, but not nonspatial memories such as colour (Morris 1983;Hampton & Shettleworth 1996;Shiflett et al 2003).…”

Section: The Role Of the Hippocampus In Spatial Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Is bigger always better? A critical appraisal of the use of volumetric analysis in the study of the hippocampus

Roth

Brodin

Smulders

et al. 2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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A well-developed spatial memory is important for many animals, but appears especially important for scatter-hoarding species. Consequently, the scatter-hoarding system provides an excellent paradigm in which to study the integrative aspects of memory use within an ecological and evolutionary framework. One of the main tenets of this paradigm is that selection for enhanced spatial memory for cache locations should specialize the brain areas involved in memory. One such brain area is the hippocampus (Hp). Many studies have examined this adaptive specialization hypothesis, typically relating spatial memory to Hp volume. However, it is unclear how the volume of the Hp is related to its function for spatial memory. Thus, the goal of this article is to evaluate volume as a main measurement of the degree of morphological and physiological adaptation of the Hp as it relates to memory. We will briefly review the evidence for the specialization of memory in food-hoarding animals and discuss the philosophy behind volume as the main currency. We will then examine the problems associated with this approach, attempting to understand the advantages and limitations of using volume and discuss alternatives that might yield more specific hypotheses. Overall, there is strong evidence that the Hp is involved in the specialization of spatial memory in scatter-hoarding animals. However, volume may be only a coarse proxy for more relevant and subtle changes in the structure of the brain underlying changes in behaviour. To better understand the nature of this brain/memory relationship, we suggest focusing on more specific and relevant features of the Hp, such as the number or size of neurons, variation in connectivity depending on dendritic and axonal arborization and the number of synapses. These should generate more specific hypotheses derived from a solid theoretical background and should provide a better understanding of both neural mechanisms of memory and their evolution.

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Section: The Role Of the Hippocampus In Spatial Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Is bigger always better? A critical appraisal of the use of volumetric analysis in the study of the hippocampus

Roth

Brodin

Smulders

et al. 2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…natural or artificial) during displacement to the release site increased neuronal activity in the dorsolateral area of the hippocampal formation ( figures 3 and 4), which is proposed to function as a hub for the processing of navigational information in other vertebrates [26], including mammals [27][28][29]. Pigeons that homed after exposure to filtered air without odours exhibited lower neuronal activity in this region of the hippocampal formation relative to the olfactory-stimulated groups.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Odours stimulate neuronal activity in the dorsolateral area of the hippocampal formation during path integration

et al. 2014

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The dorsolateral area of the hippocampal formation of birds is commonly assumed to play a central role in processing information needed for geographical positioning and homing. Previous work has interpreted odourinduced activity in this region as evidence for an 'olfactory map'. Here, we show, using c-Fos expression as a marker, that neuronal activation in the dorsolateral area of the hippocampal formation of pigeons is primarily a response to odour novelty, not to the spatial distribution of odour sources that would be necessary for an olfactory map. Pigeons exposed to odours had significantly more neurons activated in this area of the brain than pigeons exposed to filtered air with odours removed. This increased activity was observed only in response to unfamiliar odours. No change in activity was observed when pigeons were exposed to home odours. These findings are consistent with non-home odours activating non-olfactory components of the pigeon's navigation system. The pattern of neuronal activation in the triangular and dorsomedial areas of the hippocampal formation was, by contrast, consistent with the possibility that odours play a role in providing spatial information.

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“…We also predicted that patterns in GR and/or MR binding in hippocampus would parallel seasonal variation in CORT negative feedback in House Sparrows (Lattin et al 2012a), because of the important role of the mammalian hippocampus in negative feedback (Jacobson 2005). Although the avian hippocampus appears to be a functional homologue of the mammalian hippocampus (Colombo and Broadbent 2000), it has not been clearly established that the avian hippocampus is involved in negative feedback. For example, Dickens et al (2011) did not find changes in hippocampal GR or MR expression in translocated Chukar (Alectoris chukar), despite finding differences in negative feedback in these animals (Dickens et al 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the basis of the preparative hypothesis, we expected to see increased whole-brain and gonadal sensitivity to baseline and/or stress-induced CORT (and, therefore, increased GR and/ or MR binding) during the pre-egg-laying period (Table 1), which is associated with a number of predictable stressors, as described above. Our predictions for hippocampal binding were based on evidence that avian hippocampus is homologous to mammalian hippocampus (Colombo and Broadbent 2000) and on the results of a recent study that showed seasonal variation in negative feedback regulation in House Sparrows (Lattin et al 2012a). If avian hippocampus is involved in negative feedback regulation, as it is At baseline concentrations, the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (CORT) helps wild birds regulate metabolism and activity levels; in response to environmental perturbations, secretion of this hormone increases, and it plays a key role in regulating energy, immune function, and reproduction during the physiological stress response (Sapolsky et al 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation in corticosterone receptor binding in brain, hippocampus, and gonads in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Lattin

Romero

2013

The Auk

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Is the avian hippocampus a functional homologue of the mammalian hippocampus?

Cited by 214 publications

References 153 publications

Is bigger always better? A critical appraisal of the use of volumetric analysis in the study of the hippocampus

Is bigger always better? A critical appraisal of the use of volumetric analysis in the study of the hippocampus

Odours stimulate neuronal activity in the dorsolateral area of the hippocampal formation during path integration

Seasonal variation in corticosterone receptor binding in brain, hippocampus, and gonads in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

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