The role of acetylcholine in hippocampal function

The mechanisms by which the neurotransmitter acetylcholine enhances cognition are not fully understood. Dr Mellor will be working towards defining the cellular, synaptic and network effects of acetylcholine in the hippocampus and determining its role in cognition. He will focus on which acetylcholine receptors regulate synaptic plasticity and neural network activity using a multidisciplinary approach. The aim is to define ways to pharmacologically modulate the hippocampal network.