The first objective of this proposal is to characterize the firing patterns of hippocampal neurons associated with the disambiguation of memories for overlapping sequences of events, a critical feature of episodic memory. Single neuron activity and local field potentials in the CA1 and CAS regions will be recorded as rats perform a sequence disambiguation task. The relationships between the timing of spiking activity, phase of field potentials, and behavioral events will be analyzed to test specific predictions made from computational models. The second objective is to design a computational model that will incorporate these new findings to provide a detailed description of the neuronal mechanisms underlying sequence disambiguation, and to generate novel predictions for further analysis. The simulations will be constrained by the anatomy and physiology of the hippocampal region, and replicate the dimensions of the behavioral task. These results will add to our understanding of the mechanisms of hippocampal involvement in memory and consequently are fundamental to the study of disorders associated with dysfunction of the hippocampal system such as age-related memory disorder, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32MH076594-02
Application #
7274882
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02A-H (20))
Program Officer
Curvey, Mary F
Project Start
2006-08-01
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$52,048
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
049435266
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215