Hippocampal–Cortical Interactions Supporting Schema-Dependent Systems Memory Consolidation

The acquisition of rule-based spatial navigation tasks depends on coordinated hippocampal–cortical interactions during behavior and post-learning sleep. Abstract representations of task structure, or schemas, are thought to support the integration of new memories. To investigate schema-fascilitated memory integration we employ a novel sensory–spatial navigation task combined with chronic Neuropixels recordings in the hippocampal–retrosplenial–frontal cortex network in rats. We address two key questions: (1) how new sensory–spatial associations are integrated into existing schema representations, depending on their congruence with prior schemas; and (2) how hippocampal–cortical interactions – particularly SWR – associated reactivations during wakefulness and sleep—support this process. We will further illuminate the role of the hippocampus by using models of transient and chronic hippocampal impairments to examine the impact on schema representations and memory integration. Together our project will uncover how new and existing memories are combined to build robust yet flexible knowledge structures.