Team research topics:

The hippocampus is a brain structure that plays a critical role in the formation, consolidation and recall of various forms of memory, including episodic and spatial memory. How do such complex cognitive functions emerge from the activity of hippocampal neurons? One key property of the hippocampal network is its ability to encode and reactivate sequential activity patterns. For instance, fast sequential activation of hippocampal ‘place cells’ anticipates future trajectories, associates traveled paths with rewarding or aversive stimuli, and mediates memory consolidation.

The goal of our research is to decipher the various roles of hippocampal dynamics, including their interactions with cortical and subcortical activity (in e.g. prefrontal cortex, medial and lateral entorhinal cortices, ventral and dorsal striatum, locus cœruleus, ventral tegmental area, etc.), and dissect their network mechanisms in freely moving rodents.

 

Main techniques used:

We combine massively parallel electrophysiological recordings in multiple brain structures, rapid optical imaging and optogenetics, in free-moving rodents performing complex behavioral tasks in custom-built automated mazes and during sleep. Advanced analysis and statistical methods enable us to reveal the mechanisms and roles of hippocampal sequences in memory formation, consolidation and recall.

Address :
11, place Marcelin-Berthelot 75231 Paris Cedex 05

Team leader :
Michael Zugaro
Name of co-team leader :

Administrative Contact Name :


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Key words : Hippocampe, cortex, apprentissage et mémoire, rythmes cérébraux, sommeil Hippocampus, cortex, learning and memory, brain rhythms, sleep