From the limbic-reticular coupling theory proposed by Cai for memory, it is herein highlighted the
anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) mediating both familiarity and recall. For novelty consolidating
both familiarity and recall, it relays theta low-frequency from supramammillary nucleus to septum,
hippocampus and ATN, with novelty impaired by lesion of mammillary bodies or mammillothalamic
tract (MTT) to ATN. For familiarity, it is impaired by lesions of posterior cingulate and retrosplenial
cortices, which interconnect with ATN. Accordingly, it is explained that MTT lesion manifests recall
impairment from the net effects of both impaired novelty from MTT to ATN and spared familiarity from
related cortices to ATN.
