Research Projects

More than a century ago we learned that brain processes new information via metabolic changes in the neuronal connections, a phenomenon called synaptic plasticity that is conserved not only between different brain regions but also across species. However, till date, we do not know the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms that results in synaptic changes during different forms of learning. In this proposal we address this gap by investigating a novel plasticity mechanism that underlies formation of hippocampal “GPS cells” and spatial learning. This behavioral time scale synaptic plasticity (BTSP) operates over a timescale of seconds, which is relevant for spatial learning. To understand how these plasticity mechanisms get induced during learning, we will investigate the role of norepinephrine (NE) during BTSP in rodents using patch clamp electrophysiology, opto-genetics and in vivo calcium imaging in freely moving animals. Several studies have shown that spatial learning can differ between sexes and the brain region that synthesizes NE is sexually dimorphic but neuroscience animal research, including the GPS cell plasticity, is often biased towards using males. Thus in this study we will systematically study the NE modulation of hippocampal BTSP and place cells in both females and males. Alterations in spatial navigation is the first sign of Alzheimer’s and thus understanding the sex-specific role of NE will provide novel therapeutic strategies targeting specific neuromodulators such as NE that are appropriate for each sex.