Upcoming Events
IPN Dissertation Defense: Jeffrey Kopsick
Jul 11, 2024, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
KB 229 and Zoom.
PhD Candidate Jeffrey Kopsick
Dissertation Chair: Prof Giorgio Ascoli
Title: Cell Assembly Formation and Retrieval In A Biologically Constrained CA3 Network
Abstract:
Hippocampal area Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) is theorized to form and retrieve episodic memories via groups of neurons (cell assemblies). This dissertation created a data-driven, full-scale spiking neural network (SNN) of mouse CA3 that could encode and retrieve memories via cell assemblies while displaying stable and robust dynamics at rest. Furthermore, machine learning and regression analysis revealed a significant increase in acetylcholine, a key neuromodulator for episodic memory, in the medial septum during rearing in live mice. These findings highlight a biologically realistic SNN capable of learning with cell assemblies, and the discovery of novel correlations between neuromodulation and behavior.