? The proposed research examines the learning and memory functions of limbic brain circuitry involving the hippocampus, retrosplenial cortex, and the anterior and lateral dorsal thalamus. Pathology in these regions has been associated with the human cognitive impairments seen in amnesic syndromes and Alzheimer's disease. The specific goal is to examine the contributions these regions make to contextual learning. It is proposed that these regions function cooperatively to encode the cognitive and behavioral features of a learning context and thereby provide a basis for determining appropriate behaviors in different learning situations. To assess this, multi-site neuronal recording and temporary inactivation techniques will be employed while rats learn to obtain food rewards in two different learning contexts. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32MH067399-02
Application #
6659876
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F01 (20))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-09-28
Project End
2005-07-31
Budget Start
2003-09-28
Budget End
2004-09-27
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$46,420
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Gill, Patrick R; Mizumori, Sheri J Y; Smith, David M (2011) Hippocampal episode fields develop with learning. Hippocampus 21:1240-9
Smith, David M; Mizumori, Sheri J Y (2006) Learning-related development of context-specific neuronal responses to places and events: the hippocampal role in context processing. J Neurosci 26:3154-63
Smith, David M; Mizumori, Sheri J Y (2006) Hippocampal place cells, context, and episodic memory. Hippocampus 16:716-29
Robinson, Siobhan; Smith, David M; Mizumori, Sheri J Y et al. (2004) Firing properties of dopamine neurons in freely moving dopamine-deficient mice: effects of dopamine receptor activation and anesthesia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:13329-34