SFB 1315/2 DP: Mechanisms and disturbances in memory consolidation: From synapses to systems

Abstract

This Collaborative Research Center (CRC) focuses on systems memory consolidation. That is, it investigates not just how memory-related structures in the brain retain long-term information, but how the brain transforms this information into facts, knowledge and skills that correspond to specific memories. This topic can be seen as one of the central issues in brain research and it is also an ideal topic for a CRC because it is difficult to tackle by individual laboratories working alone. The first round of the CRC was very successful with many breakthroughs and publications. Overall, the consortium provided insight into what signals originate in the hippocampus that eventually lead to memories in the cortex, where these signals arrive and what their action is. This kind of foundational research has already changed the way we look at memory consolidation.For our second funding period application, we have identified a number of themes that were brought into focus during the first round. These include the nature of memory-related activity generated in the hippocampus, the transfer of information from the medial temporal lobe to neocortex, the refinement of ensembles of cells for encoding memories (engrams), the role of sleep, memory loops, and how brain stimulation influences memory. We introduce three new scientific projects to enhance the successful themes and take advantage of ten new PIs who have either arrived in Berlin or become aligned to the goals of the CRC. We will increase the range of investigations to include both molecular events related to memory and large-scale dynamics of memory consolidation. To do this, we have brought in new PIs with expertise in the molecular underpinnings of local protein synthesis and in animal behavior, as well as PIs in the clinical, experimental and theoretical domains working on large-scale systems. For the second round, we will also introduce a robust infrastructure project led by PI Ritter that will further develop these strategies for reproducible research and integrate the consortium into ongoing data management initiatives around Germany and Europe.In summary, the CRC 1315 takes maximum advantage of the existing neuroscientific community investigating memory in Berlin.