03.02.2021   13:00

SFB1158 / Neurobiology Lecture

Network oscillations of the sleeping brain: The (patho-) physiology of human memory systems

Dr. Randolph Helfrich

Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research,
University Medical Centre, Tübingen

The precisely timed interaction of specialized but widely distributed cortical regions constitutes the neural basis of sleep-dependent memory formation. However,it is still largely unknown how the brain self-organizes information processing, transfer and storage. Neural oscillations have been proposed to constitute a flexible intrinsic timing mechanism to route information flow between neuronal ensembles. In particular, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep is dominated by prominent oscillations, which coordinate the hippocampal-neocortical dialogue. Contemporary models generally assume that hippocampal ripples trigger spontaneous memory consolidation.

Here I discuss an updated model, where the neocortex orchestrates information reactivation during sleep to ensure that transfer occurs when cortical processing capacities are optimal. In particular, I will discuss how the precise temporal coordination between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex subserves memory formation, i.e. the reactivation, transfer and consolidation of newly acquired information. Second, I will address how different neurological diseases that are typically accompanied by memory deficits, are characterized by specific temporal alterations of the sleep architecture. I will demonstrate that different disorders exhibit distinct ‘fingerprints’ that can be detected automatically to guide clinical evaluation and targeted treatment. Hence, temporal dispersion of precise network organization provides a novel pathway of age-and disease-related cognitive decline. Third, I will outline how impaired network coordination could constitute a novel therapeutic target for non-pharmacological interventions. In particular, I will discuss that temporal network coordination might be enhanced through frequency-specific neurostimulation, which selectively targets the aberrant ‘fingerprints’ and thereby, could alleviate memory deficits.

Location: ZOOM

The link will be shared on the IZN Mailing Lists

10.02.2021   13:00

IZN Seminar

The impact of SHANK2 mutations linked to autism on early neurodevelopment

Flavia-Bianca Cristian (AG Rappold)

Location: ZOOM

The link will be shared on the IZN Mailing Lists

17.02.2021   13:00

IZN Concepts Talk

Cancer predisposition genes in cerebellum development and disease

Dr. Lena Kutscher

Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg

Location: ZOOM

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24.02.2021   13:00

IZN Seminar

A new tactile discrimination paradigm to study neuronal circuits for salience encoding and cognitive flexibility in freely moving mice

Filippo Heimburg (AG Groh)

Comparing different nociceptive modalities (laser, pinprick) regarding common neurophysiological patterns in human subjects

Martin Schulz (AG Rupp)

Location: ZOOM

The link will be shared on the IZN Mailing Lists