# Temporal Organization of Memory in the Hippocampus

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) · 2020 · $412,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Episodic memory is characterized by our ability to remember the spatial and temporal context in which events
occur. There is substantial evidence that the hippocampal neuronal activity reflects a representation of space
but, until recently, little was known about whether or how the hippocampal neurons encode time. However,
recent studies by us have shown that hippocampal neuronal activity provides a temporal context signal that
contributes to memory. In addition there is now evidence, substantially accumulated in this project, that
hippocampal neurons - called time cells - fire during particular moments in a temporally extended experience,
similar to hippocampal place cells that fire associated with particular locations in a spatially extended
environment. The proposed studies will continue to explore the nature of temporal representation by the
hippocampal system and associated brain areas. Experiments so far have focused on time cell activity during a
gap between remembered events in order to identify an unambiguous timing signal in the absence of dynamic
external events and while holding place and behavior constant. In the next phase of the project we will explore
how time cells organize a sequence of events that compose specific episodes. Also, all recordings of
hippocampal time cells have so far been examined only in area CA1. We will examine whether temporal
coding is limited to CA1 or widespread in the hippocampus and other medial temporal and prefrontal areas.
We will also explore whether temporal sequencing is created within intrinsic hippocampal circuits or whether
temporal coding within the hippocampus depends on inputs from cortical areas. These studies will challenge
the prevalent view that the hippocampal system is dedicated to spatial navigation and advance our
understanding of how this system represents events in their spatiotemporal context.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9913578
- **Project number:** 5R01MH095297-10
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
- **Principal Investigator:** Marc W Howard
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $412,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9913578

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9913578, Temporal Organization of Memory in the Hippocampus (5R01MH095297-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9913578. Licensed CC0.

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