Homeostatic presynaptic plasticity in memory consolidation and sleep of the aging brain (A08)

• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Network Neuroscience
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 327654276

Plastic processes promote memory processes by driving synapses away from equilibrium, while homeostatic plasticity resets them. Sleep is considered key for resetting, but is also involved in memory consolidation, and changes with age. In Drosophila brains we described a homeostatic form of presynaptic plasticity (PreScale) connecting sleep deprivation, homeostatic sleep drive and memory consolidation. We here address the circuit implementation of PreScale and study the protective effects of PreScale at physiological and biochemical levels. Our results will deepen our understanding of how presynaptic plasticity operates between sleep, memory consolidation and aging.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1315: Mechanisms and disturbances in memory consolidation: From synapses to systems
• Applicant Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Stephan J. Sigrist