Papez circuit

Caterina Müller

edited by

Julius Loges,

Luca Fischer,

1. Definition

The Papez circuit is defined as a pattern of neurons in the limbic system; it involves the hippocampus, the maxillary body, the anterior thalamic nucleus and the cingulate gyrus.

2. Components

The Papez circuit runs from the hippocampus through the fornix to the mammillary body.

From here it goes further (through the mammillothalamic bundle) to the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT), and from the thalamus it continues to the cingulate gyrus.

The cingulate gyrus then projects to the parahippocampal gyrus, which projects further via the perforant tract back to the hippocampus, thus completing the circuit.

Hippocampus -> fornix -> mammillary bodies -> mamillothalamic tract -> ANT -> cingulum -> hippocampus

3. Function

Since its discovery in 1937, the Papez circuit was believed to be the basis for the formation of emotional experiencenes.

However, more recent studies reconceptualized the circuit as a part of the limbic system.

The circuit probably plays a role in formation and storing of recent memories.

Lesions of the Papez circuit results in anterograde amnesia with preserved long-term memories.

4. Related pathologies

Alcohol abuse can damage the mamillary body, leading to Korsakoff-Syndrome.

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Specialty

neuroanatomy

Keywords

Last edit:

2025-01-30 22:31:27

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