Molecular and activity characterization of memory engram cells

• Project/Area Number: 18H02543
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University (2019-2021); Osaka University (2018)
• Principal Investigator: Matsuo Naoki 九州大学, 理学研究院, 教授 (10508956)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 寺前 順之介 京都大学, 情報学研究科, 准教授 (50384722)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2021)
• Budget Amount: ¥17,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥3,960,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥6,110,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,410,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥6,110,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,410,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000)
• Keywords: 記憶 / マウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recent activity manipulation experiments using genetically engineered mice have begun to demonstrate that the activity of a subset of neuronal populations in the brain active during learning (memory engram cells) is the causal factor that is the memory entity. One of the most important issues to be addressed next is to understand the basic properties of memory engram cells: how they are selected and what makes them different from other neighboring cells. To this end, we recorded the activity of memory engram cells in contextual fear-conditioned memory and analyzed the characteristics of their activity.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、学習により脳内の神経細胞の活動状態がどのように変化するのか？　記憶は脳内でどのような状態で存在するのか？という哺乳類の記憶に関する細胞レベルでの本質的な問いそのものに直接的なアプローチを行い、その答えの一端に答えることができたことは学術的に非常に意義が高い。また、これらの理解はPTSDや認知疾患の原因解明や治療の基盤にもつながることが期待される。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 記憶にかかわる神経アンサンブルの可視化と人為的操作 (2019)
  • Author(s): 松尾直毅
  • Journal Title: Dementia Japan Volume: 33 Pages: 10-15
• [Presentation] エングラムセルが表現するエピソード記憶のダイナミクス (2020)
  • Author(s): 高蔵蓮, 小林曉吾, 松尾直毅, 寺前順之介
  • Organizer: 日本物理学会第75回年次大会
• [Presentation] Robustness and Flexibility of Neuronal Ensembles in Memory (2019)
  • Author(s): Naoki Matsuo
  • Organizer: ILS 2019 (International Conference on Interdisciplinary Life Sciences)
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Robustness and Flexibility of Neuronal Ensembles in Memory (2019)
  • Author(s): Naoki Matsuo
  • Organizer: The 10th IBRO (International Brain Research Organization) World Congress
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] 記憶痕跡細胞から探る記憶の神経基盤 (2019)
  • Author(s): 松尾直毅
  • Organizer: 第32回 日本動物細胞工学会2019年度大会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Robustness and Flexibility of Neuronal Ensembles in Memory (2019)
  • Author(s): Naoki Matsuo
  • Organizer: 9th FAOPS (Federation of Asian and Oceanian Physiological Societies) Congress
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] 記憶の神経アンサンブルの安定性と柔軟性 (2018)
  • Author(s): 松尾直毅
  • Organizer: 大阪大学蛋白質研究所セミナー「高次脳機能の神経回路機構」
  • Invited