Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, Toronto, Canada.
J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2011 Sep;17(5):766-80. doi: 10.1017/S1355617711000683. Epub 2011 Jun 6.
With time and experience, memories undergo a process of reorganization that involves different neuronal networks, known as systems consolidation. The traditional view, as articulated in standard consolidation theory (SCT), is that (episodic and semantic) memories initially depend on the hippocampus, but eventually become consolidated in their original forms in other brain regions. In this study, we review the main principles of SCT and report evidence from the neuropsychological literature that would not be predicted by this theory. By comparison, the evidence supports an alternative account, the transformation hypothesis, whose central premise is that changes in neural representation in systems consolidation are accompanied by corresponding changes in the nature of the memory. According to this view, hippocampally dependent, episodic, or context-specific memories transform into semantic or gist-like versions that are represented in extra-hippocampal structures. To the extent that episodic memories are retained, they will continue to require the hippocampus, but the hippocampus is not needed for the retrieval of semantic memories. The transformation hypothesis emphasizes the dynamic nature of memory, as well as the underlying functional and neural interactions that must be taken into account in a comprehensive theory of memory.
随着时间和经验的积累，记忆会经历一个重组的过程，涉及到不同的神经元网络，称为系统巩固。传统观点，如标准巩固理论（SCT）所阐述的，是（情节和语义）记忆最初依赖于海马体，但最终以原始形式在其他大脑区域得到巩固。在这项研究中，我们回顾了 SCT 的主要原则，并报告了神经心理学文献中的证据，这些证据与该理论不一致。相比之下，证据支持替代理论，即转换假说，其核心前提是系统巩固中神经表示的变化伴随着记忆本质的相应变化。根据这种观点，海马体依赖的情节或上下文特定的记忆会转变为语义或主旨版本，这些版本在海马体以外的结构中得到表示。在某种程度上，情节记忆得以保留，它们将继续需要海马体，但检索语义记忆不需要海马体。转换假说强调了记忆的动态性质，以及在记忆的综合理论中必须考虑到的潜在功能和神经相互作用。
