The role of hippocampus in various cognitive processes such as formation
of long-term memories and spatial navigation has been puzzling
scientists since the famous reports on patient H.M. After the infamous
surgery to cure his epilepsy, H.M.’s medial temporal lobe, including
hippocampus, was left severely dysfunctional, impairing his ability to
form novel long-term memories as well as interfering with his spatial
perception while his procedural skills were intact.
This in situ -hybridization in the hippocampus illustrates the rapid transportation of Arg3.1 mRNA to the dendrites upon activation
Arc protein expression in the hippocampus
Pictures by Claudia Mahlke (University of Hamburg)
Arc/Arg3.1 is a gene that codes an activity-regulated cytoskeletal
protein which is involved in AMPA-receptor trafficking and is expressed
e.g. during spatial exploration. Electrophysiological studies have shown
it to be crucial for long-term synaptic plasticity (LTP and LTD).
Moreover, behavioral studies have revealed it plays an important role in
memory consolidation. Memory consolidation is the gradual strengthening of memories over time,
rendering them more resistant to interference and discruption. Disrupted Arc/Arg3.1 function
severely impairs long-term memory(1) while leaving working memory and other functions intact
– a pattern of impairment that is reminiscent of H.M.'s case.
In this project, we record hippocampal neural ensembles during waking
4 and sleep periods to enhance our understanding of the general principles underlying
memory consolidation and spatial representation as well the role of Arc/Arg3.1 in them.
The role of Arc/Arg3.1 in formation and stability of place fields 2
in novel and familiar environments 3
Memory consolidation, cognitive flexibility and reversal learning 1
Recordings :
Programmable spatial tasks for mice
Hippocampal recordings during task performance and sleep using ultralight-weight devices for tetrode arrays
Neuralynx recording system & Ethovision monitoring system
Analysis :
Spike sorting
Programming in MatLab
This project represents a collaboration with the group of Prof. Dr. Dietmar Kuhl and Dr. Claudia Mahlke.
Group of Molecular and Cellular Cognition, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University of Hamburg
Hemi A.I. Malkki, Laura A.B. Donga, Sabine E. de Groot and NeuroBSIK Mouse Phenomics Consortium,
Francesco P. Battaglia, Cyriel M.A. Pennartz (2011)
Towards mouse models of perseveration: A heritable component in extinction of operant behavior
in fourteen standard and recombinant inbred mouse lines
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Volume 96, Issue 2, September 2011, Pages 280-287
PDF
Malkki HAI, Donga AB, de Groot SE, Battaglia FP, NeuroBSIK
Mouse Phenomics consortium and Pennartz CMA (2010)
Heritability and dissociation of traits relevant for operant conditioning in mice
Front. in Behav. Neurosci. Vol. 4, art. 171. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2010.00171.
abstract/PDF
Plath N et al. (2006)
Arc/Arg3.1 is essential for the consolidation of synaptic plasticity and memories
Neuron 52: 437-44
Wilson MA, McNaughton BL. (1993) Dynamics of the hippocampal ensemble code for space
Science 261: 993-995
Knierim JJ. (2002) Dynamic interactions between local surface cues, distal landmarks, and intrinsic circuitry in hippocampal place cells J. Neurosci. 22: 6254-6264
Battaglia FP, Kalenscher T, Cabral H, Winkel J, Bos J, Manuputy R,
van Lieshout T, Pinkse F, Beukers H and Pennartz CMA (2009)
The Lantern: an ultra-light microdrive for multi-tetrode recording
in freely moving mice
and other small animals
J. Neurosci. Meth. 178: 291-300
This page was last updated on 28 september 2011