October 23, 2015
Modulation of Homeostatic Plasticity by Npas4 in Hippocampal Neurons
Memory formation is dependent on synaptic plasticity, which is a neuron’s ability to alter its connections after experiences. Although activity in neural networks can mediate neuronal properties, the mechanisms by which homeostatic synaptic plasticity affects memory formation remain unclear. The Lin laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studies this synaptic plasticity through Npas4, an activity-dependent transcription factor required for contextual memory formation in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. By collecting and analyzing whole-cell patch clamp recordings from mouse hippocampal cells, and by inducing a hyperactive state in control and Npas4 knockout neurons, I studied whether and how Npas4 mediates homeostatic regulation.
Explore the MHC Social Universe >