Neural dynamics and memory

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K18563
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 10:Psychology and related fields
• Research Institution: Tamagawa University
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Yasuhiro 玉川大学, 脳科学研究所, 准教授 (20533128)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 記憶

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aim to clarify the dynamics of neural activity during the moments when animal behavior changes in new environments and during the process of new memory formation. We developed a stable electrode socket for long-term recording of chronic neural activity using Neuropixels. We created a brain atlas of Long-Evans rats to determine accurate brain coordinates. We also developed behavioral tasks using virtual reality environments and improved the head fixation device. Utilizing free operant conditioning, we measured neural activity from the rat medial prefrontal cortex using Neuropixels. We analyzed various neural activities and modeled collective neural activities. We continue to develop technology to elucidate the memory formation process.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、新たな記憶形成と動物の行動における神経活動の関係を探求するために、様々な技術開発を行いました。新規装置の開発や仮想現実環境の導入、神経活動の長期間記録などを通じて、記憶形成の過程とその神経ダイナミクスをリアルタイムで捉え、理解を深めました。これらの研究成果は、学習・記憶に関する理論の発展、神経疾患モデルの改善、教育方法の進歩、AIやロボット技術の分野に対する人間行動のモデル化など、広範な分野に大きな影響を与える可能性があります。