Contextual modulation of spatial memory consolidation

The proposed project investigates contextual factors that may determine the relative contributions of hippocampus and neocortex within networks for spatial memory consolidation. Our central hypothesis is that availability of previous spatial knowledge critically determines hippocampal-neocortical interactions during systems consolidation. In four work packages (WPs), we will combine electrophysiological, pharmacological, imaging and lesion approaches in human patients and normal human subjects. In WP 1, we will study schema effects on ripples recorded from the human medial temporal lobe and neocortex. In WP 2, we will study whether early memory consolidation of schema-congruent and -incongruent information show a differential susceptibility to transient modulation of hippocampal activity with the anesthetic propofol. In WP3, we will study how contextual information modifies consolidation of spatial information acquired during free navigation. In WP 4, we will study how the availability of remote spatial memory facilitates consolidation of spatial memoranda independently from the hippocampus.

Image Navigation task setting. Source, Jürgen Hohmuth

Archive – B05 (SFB1315/1)