Visualizing changes in neuronal connectivity during memory formation in mouse neocortex (A08)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 118803580

We aim to study changes in neuronal connectivity underlying the formation of visual associative memories in mouse neocortex. We will apply rabies virus tracing to label presynaptic partners of selected neurons before learning. Following this, we will train mice on a visual object categorization task and then visualize newly connected presynaptic neurons, which will express a protein of a different color. We will determine the distribution of newly connected neurons and use in vivo two-photon calcium imaging to compare their stimulus preferences to that of input cells before learning. Finally, we will employ electrophysiology and optogenetics in vitro to assess the synaptic properties of new inputs and test if they form clusters on postsynaptic dendrites.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 870: Assembly and Function of Neuronal Circuits in Sensory Processing
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Mark Hübener; Dr. Volker Scheuss