Project description
Explaining consolidation of episodic memory
Episodic memory represents our memory of experiences and specific events in time in a serial form. One question that scientists are trying to answer is how episodic memory consolidates into long-term memory. It has been observed in neurophysiological and behavioural studies that long-term memory consolidation is a major function of sleep. The EU-funded SleepEpisMemory project supports a novel approach in the research of the role of hippocampal-cortical dialogue (HCD) during sleep for memory consolidation. It will apply pioneering 'no-report' paradigms to record and stimulate the activity of the brain during sleep to effectively study episodic memory consolidation, the role of HCD and its processes in dementia and ageing as well as non-invasive methods to improve memory.
Objective
Episodic memory is a core element of the human mind, but how experiencing an episode consolidates into long-term memory remains a central unsolved question in cognitive science. We will test the hypothesis that hippocampal-cortical dialogue (HCD) during sleep promotes memory consolidation, a hypothesis that has been largely beyond direct testing in humans to date. Moreover, transcending report is essential, since it remains unclear if sleep improves memory per-se, or the ability to access and report memories. Conventional paradigms do not facilitate sleep and memory research in dementia, where it is vital. Based on my expertise, ongoing studies, and preliminary results, I propose a unique approach to address these gaps by combining novel approaches to recording and stimulating brain activity in human sleep with novel ‘no-report’ memory paradigms. We will go beyond the state-of-the-art in three synergistic domains: (1) Develop an ecological ‘no-report’ paradigm to study episodic memory, and its consolidation during sleep. (2) Test the role of sleep HCD in mediating human memory consolidation. (3) In dementia and aging, we will investigate to what extent disrupted HCD during sleep impairs memory consolidation, and whether noninvasive neuromodulation can improve memory in dementia. The proposed research has the potential to elucidate fundamental principles and transform conceptual insights of how sleep promotes episodic memory consolidation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.