An investigation of distributed cortical neural circuit mechanisms for memory storage

Memories are thought to be stored as traces distributed across the brain. We do not know how these memory traces are coordinated. The entorhinal cortex receives signals from the hippocampus, which is important for initial learning, and sends outputs to diverse cortical targets that together are important for long-term memory.

I will investigate outputs from the entorhinal cortex. I will use advanced genetic and physiological methods to establish organising principles by which the entorhinal cortex coordinates neural activity within and between cortical regions. I will also use microscopic cameras to monitor cortical activity during visuospatial learning and then test the influence of projections from the entorhinal cortex.

My findings will help to identify the neural substrates for long-term memories and to explain how disparate cortical areas generate coherent cognitive states.