Gone or Misplaced?: Investigation of Memory Engrams Across Development
Citation:
Power, Sarah, Gone or Misplaced?: Investigation of Memory Engrams Across Development, Trinity College Dublin.School of Biochemistry & Immunology, 2022Download Item:
Abstract:
All humans experience amnesia. While about 30% of adults who live to be over 65 will
suffer from dementia, 100% of the human population experiences infantile amnesia,
which is the loss of memories formed in early childhood (before 2 4 years). Although
behavioural neuroscientists have already demonstrated that rodents display infantile
amnesia, little is known about the basic neurobiology of infantile amnesia and further
its effect on memory engrams. This thesis probes the question of how memories are
stored in the brain throughout development by integrating recently developed engram
labelling technology with rodent models of infantile amnesia. This thesis aims to
characterize infantile amnesia in the mouse using multiple behavioural paradigms. It
develops a genetic strategy for labelling infant engram cells in a persistent way that can
be maintained across the lifespan. It then uses this strategy as a platform to
optogenetically interrogate the functionality of infant engram cells in adulthood. It
investigates the degree of information content that is retained after infantile amnesia
for various kinds of memory. The mechanisms underlying infantile amnesia are
investigated and potential methodologies for the permanent reinstatement of infant
engrams are probed. Lastly, approaches for preventing infantile amnesia are explored
by inducing immunological brain states that may allow infant memories to survive IA.
Description:
APPROVED
Author: Power, Sarah
Advisor:
Ryan, TomasPublisher:
Trinity College Dublin. School of Biochemistry & Immunology. Discipline of BiochemistryType of material:
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