2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Neural mechanism of memory manipulation using non-human primate and understanding of its disorder
| Project/Area Number |
22K20674
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
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| Research Institution | Hokkaido University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | 作業記憶 / 前頭連合野 / 中央実行系 / N-back課題 / サル / 記憶消去 |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Working memory (WM) consists of a slave system, which serves as a storage space for short-term memory, and a central executive system responsible for operations related to it (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974). Research into the neural mechanisms of the central executive system is scarce. In an experiment conducted by the applicants to elucidate this, for the first time in the world, non-human primates (macaques) were subjected to the oculomotor N-back task. This experiment led to the discovery of neural activity related to memory erasure (extinction neurons) originating from the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, experiments combining electrical stimulation revealed the causal involvement of this neural activity in the animals' behavior.
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| Free Research Field |
神経生理学
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
作業記憶は、短期記憶の貯蔵庫であるスレーブシステムとそれらの操作などに関わる中央実行系からなる。この脳内機構の解明は、従来から認知神経科学分野の重要な研究トピックスの一つである。一方、作業記憶は、認知症や統合失調症などの精神神経疾患で障害され、生活の質を大きく低下させる。本研究は、中央実行系の脳内機構の一端を明らかにしたものであり、認知神経科学分野に大きなインパクトを与え得るだけでなく、精神医学研究を大きく前進させるポテンシャルも持っている。
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