Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p><span style=""font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.5em;""></span></p> <p><span style=""font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.5em;""></span></p> <p>My laboratory investigates the neural processes that underlie memory permanence (consolidation). We are most interested in the episodic subtype of memory which can be described as recollections of the &ldquo;who, what, where, and when&rdquo; aspects of unique experiences. These memories are dependent on the medial temporal lobe memory system which includes the broad inter-connections between the neocortex and the hippocampus in the brain. The patterns of neural activity in this extended circuit are not only important for encoding memories as they occur (that is, ONLINE memory encoding) but also for strengthening existing memories <em>after </em>the fact (that is, OFFLINE memory consolidation). Our laboratory is especially interested in how different patterns of <em>offline </em>spontaneous activity in the period just after active learning (especially during sleep) may play a role in memory consolidation.</p> <p>The period just after learning has been demonstrated to be essential to the maintenance of memory itself. For example, following a particular novel episodic experience, hippocampal neuronal activity is known to &ldquo;replay&rdquo; the actual sequenced patterns that replicate those occurring during the actual experience itself. This replay may be a form of &ldquo;neural rehearsal&rdquo; since the more it occurs, the better future memory performance for that specific information actually is (and vice versa &ndash; interfering with replay worsens subsequent memory performance). This can be summarized by the saying: &ldquo;practice makes permanent&rdquo;. Thus, the activity patterns and actual brain states in which they occur giving rise to this neural rehearsal in the extended medial temporal lobe circuit appear to be a critical and causal element in memory consolidation. Our program of research involves understanding the dynamics of the actual circuits that give rise to this activity in offline states like sleep in order to understand how this leads to better memory. </p> <p>Research for this program involves two requirements: 1) The recording and characterization of complex and localized patterns of synchronization throughout the extended circuit of the medial temporal lobe in experimental animals (rodents). This necessitates high density electrophysiological methods and the ability to acquire and analyse them. 2) The ability to administer and analyse behavioural episodic-like memory tasks in experimental animals (rodents) in order to test how brain dynamics during offline states may influence their consolidation and retention. This grant is to equip our laboratory to do just this.</p> <p>The importance of memory processes in the brain is likely one of the most intriguing and potentially important questions in neuroscience today. A fundamental understanding of these processes will shape how we might be able to design learning tasks in humans in order to modulate memory processing. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>