Fig. 3: Convergence of distinct Hippocampal pathways on Thought disorder.
From: The shallow cognitive map hypothesis: A hippocampal framework for thought disorder in schizophrenia
Multiple pathways can give rise to thought disorder, either separately or in concert. Both genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to molecular deficits in key Hippocampal circuit elements. This in turn gives rise to deficits in the activity and plasticity of the cells affected. Such functional changes drive distinct network deficits which all converge on shallowing of Hippocampal attractors and hence disorganizing cognitive maps. Cognitive map disorganization is reflected in impaired sequential activity of Hippocampal place cells in offline and online states, which we propose drives thought disorder. Dashed lines indicate processes tentatively/indirectly implicated in Schizophrenia. (HDAC Histone Deacetylases, REST repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor, SWRs Sharp-wave ripples, PV Parvalbumin; asterisks (*) signify changes that cause excessive associations).
