Hypothalamic Contributions to Learning and Memory

Learning and memory are essential for various biological processes which are crucial for the survival of an organism. Most studies examining its neurobiological substrates have focused on the amygdala, hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex. As an important part of the limbic system, the hypothalamus has a central role in regulating physiological processes that influence learning and memory, such as energy homeostasis, motivation and arousal. It has reciprocal connections with the brain areas primarily associated with learning and memory mentioned above, and releases several hormones that exert powerful effects on neural functioning.

This Research Topic would integrate recent developments on the role of the hypothalamus, including neurohormones, in learning and memory. Increasing evidence suggests that as well as its central role in modulating food intake and arousal, the hypothalamus also regulates ‘higher-order’ cognitive processes related to learning and memory that were traditionally thought to be subserved by cortical regions. Burgeoning interest in this topic makes this an opportune time to bring together contributions by researchers working in this space.

The scope of this Research topic is broad in order to showcase research using diverse conceptual and technical approaches to study the ways in which the hypothalamus influences learning and memory, as well as various neurohormones that modulate learning and memory.
We would be pleased to consider work that relate (but are not limited) to the following:
• Manipulation of hypothalamic circuits in appetitive or aversive learning protocols
• Involvement of neurohormones in learning and memory
• Hypothalamic contributions to learning and memory that are not explained by traditional hypothalamic mechanisms of energy homeostasis, motivation, and arousal
• Interactions between neurohormones and neurotransmitter systems involved in learning and memory
• Changes in learning and memory that result from dysregulated hypothalamic functioning.

We encourage Original Research articles, Reviews, Protocols, and Case Reports that address how the hypothalamus and associated neurohormones influence learning and memory.

Keywords: hypothalamus, memory, learning, neuropeptide, oxytocin, orexin, melanin concentrating hormone, MCH

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.