CSB Seminar: Professor Sara Aton, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan

“Network Oscillations Coordinate Neuronal Ensembles
during Sleep-dependent Memory Consolidation“

Host:  Prof. John Peever <john.peever@utoronto.ca>

Abstract:
A major feature of mammalian sleep is the presence of low-frequency oscillations
of highly synchronous activity between the cortex and thalamus, and between
thalamocortical circuits and the hippocampus. We find that consolidation of fear
memories and consolidation of plasticity in the visual system are blocked by disruption
of these sleep-dependent oscillations (in hippocampal and thalmocortical circuits, respectively)
in the hours following a learning experience. Our current data suggest that network oscillations
are necessary to promote the stable reactivation of neuronal ensembles, which in turn drives
long-term memory storage across brain circuits.

Video Conferencing at UTM (DV3138) & UTSc (MW229)