Many of us have favorite places we frequently return to, drawn either by the quality of food or fond memories of times spent with friends. Conversely, there are certain streets we instinctively avoid on our way home, often without clear recollection of the reasons. The Mnemosyne project is focused on exploring the link between our internal spatial representation – the neural encoding of our physical surroundings – and the emotional significance we attach to these places, which encompasses both the physiological responses and the mental representation of these emotions. This exploration is structured around three primary aims.
First Aim: Studying Bodily Impact in Aversive Situations
The project's initial goal is to investigate how physiological responses, particularly those of the body, influence decision-making and memory in adverse contexts. This line of inquiry is crucial as it parallels many therapeutic approaches in humans, such as the use of meditation and breathing techniques to alleviate anxiety and mood disorders. By understanding the bodily mechanisms in these situations, we can enhance the effectiveness of such therapies.
Second Aim: Deciphering Rumination in Rodents
Our second objective is to ascertain if rumination, a persistent issue in PTSD and resistant to many pharmacological treatments, can be effectively modeled in rodents. Developing an animal model specific to this symptom could revolutionize the treatment of rumination in humans, offering new pathways for intervention and understanding.
Third Aim: Reversing Aversive Memory During Sleep
Building on initial findings that positive spatial associations can be induced during sleep, we aim to explore if adverse memories can be similarly altered. Using a brain-computer interface, we intend to investigate whether aversive experiences reactivated during sleep can have their negative valence reversed if we apply a rewarding stimulation during these sleep reactivations. This approach could offer a novel method for treating PTSD or phobic disorders, circumventing the need for patients to consciously recall traumatic events during therapies like exposure therapy or counterconditioning.
Overall Objectives and Societal Impact:
The Mnemosyne project aims to advance our understanding of how internal representations of space and emotions are encoded in the brain and how these processes can be influenced, especially in the context of mental health disorders. The outcomes of this research have the potential to significantly impact society by improving therapies for conditions like anxiety, mood disorders, and PTSD, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals suffering from these conditions.
Main results and conclusion of the action:
In summary, the Mnemosyne Project enhances our knowledge of how the brain processes space and emotion and suggests new mental health therapies. Our findings also guide the development of effective exposure therapy models for traumatic disorders.
