Acetylcholine and spontaneous recognition memory in rodents and primates

Abstract

Whilst acetylcholine has long been linked to memory, there have been significant questions about its specific role. In particular, the effects of cholinergic manipulations in primates and rodents has often been at odds. Here, we review the work in primates and rodents on the specific function of acetylcholine in memory, and episodic memory in particular. We propose that patterns of impairment can best be understood in terms of a role for hippocampal acetylcholine in resolving spatial interference and we discuss the benefits of new tasks of episodic memory in animals allowing clearer translation of findings to the clinic.