Project description DEENESFRITPL Mapping memory in the brain Embedded deep into the temporal lobe, the hippocampus plays an important role in memory. It encodes ‘memory traces’ of our experiences and ‘replays’ them when we sleep. This is essential for memory consolidation. To shed light on how this works, the EU-funded FUS-REPLAY project will explore the whole-brain correlates of hippocampal replay. It will use functional ultrasound to monitor subtle changes in cerebral blood flow over the whole brain at a resolution of up to tens of milliseconds, in combination with high-density electrophysiology. The project will establish ‘brain maps’ associated with hippocampal replay and learn how to decode a specific memory trace from these maps. It will also study how emotional valence affects these maps. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective How can we vividly remember so many episodes of our life that, by definition, only happened once? During wakefulness, the hippocampus – a brain structure critical for episodic memory – encodes ‘memory traces’ of our experience. During sleep, it “replays” the very same sequences of neurons that were originally activated during the awake episode. Such reactivations are essential for memory consolidation. Over the years, a growing body of studies have unveiled “on-site” reactivations within the hippocampus, sometimes with a neocortical or subcortical “partner” structure, but the overall activity in the brain during these events remains largely unknown. It is unclear whether brain regions replay memory traces all at once or separately. This is a major knowledge gap because numerous cortical and subcortical structures strongly influence memory. In this project, we propose a unique combination of recording and analysis techniques to reveal the whole-brain correlates of hippocampal replay. To achieve this, we will use functional ultrasound, a newly emerging technology which monitors subtle changes in cerebral blood flow over the whole brain at a resolution up to tens of milliseconds, in combination with high-density electrophysiology, the actual gold-standard to record neuronal activity. With the help of a dedicated behavioral task, we will first establish ‘brain maps’ associated with hippocampal replay and then learn how to decode a specific memory trace from these maps. In a second time, we will investigate how emotional valence affects these maps, and in particular how replay patterns are modified over the course of learning. This project has the potential to track across the brain an individual memory trace from its creation to storage, all along consolidation processes. This project will considerably enhance our understanding of memory networks and potentially provide new regions of interest for the study of neurodegenerative disorders. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neuroscience Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator ECOLE SUPERIEURE DE PHYSIQUE ET DECHIMIE INDUSTRIELLES DE LA VILLE DEPARIS Net EU contribution € 262 385,28 Address Rue vauquelin 10 75231 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING MCGILL UNIVERSITY Canada Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address 845 sherbrooke street west H3A0G4 Montreal See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 164 031,36
