REFLEX · Studying the role of the retrosplenial cortex in flexible learning

Studying the role of the retrosplenial cortex in flexible learning

An emerging view of cortical area function posits that instead of primarily accounting for sensory processing and motor control, cortical areas might mediate flexible handling of sensory information and motor planning through learning and memory. In this project I proposed to investigate this notion focusing on the function of retrosplenial cortex (RSC), a large, poorly understood and highly interconnected cortical area that interfaces with the hippocampal system. RSC has a key role in memory, and is thought to control flexible use of contextual information; it accounts for earliest memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. Taking RSC as a model to investigate flexible cortical learning, in this case context-related flexibility, the project was developed according to three key points: •Study of activation patterns of RSC in context-related behavior. Specific behavioral tasks addressed the contributions of RSC in flexible handling of contextual or explicit cues. Using both immediate early gene expression and c-Fos-CreER reporter mice RSC networks was highlighted, and the flow of activation through hippocampal and neocortical areas was investigated. •Study of specific roles of RSC in learning. The activation patterns of RSC and its interconnected areas during behavior provided a starting point for optogenetic interventions to interfere with neuronal activity (either through loss or gain of function) in freely moving animals. •Dissect RSC subregion functions in spatial learning. The hypothesis was that the two RSC subregions play a key role in mediating translational properties of RSC. I have tested this hypotheses by studying and interfering selectively with subregion activation during contextual learning tasks.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз