How the hippocampus helps us remember and navigate
Official title: Hippocampal Mechanisms of Episodic Memory Recall and their Contribution to Naturalistic Navigation Decisions
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11067763 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brains of black-capped chickadees help them remember where they’ve hidden food and how that memory helps them find it later, which could teach us more about how our own memories work when we make decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 8, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,191 |
| NIH project number | 5K99NS136846-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067763 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would include individuals experiencing memory decline, particularly those at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with memory impairments unrelated to hippocampal function or those with advanced Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the hippocampus in episodic memory and navigation using black-capped chickadees as a model. It aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that allow these birds to recall specific memories and make decisions based on those memories, particularly in the context of finding cached food. By studying the activity of neurons in the hippocampus and related brain areas, the research seeks to develop a computational model that explains how memory influences navigation decisions. This could provide insights into how similar processes might work in humans, especially in relation to memory and decision-making.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of memory processes, potentially leading to improved strategies for addressing memory-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding memory mechanisms in animal models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chettih, Selmaan — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Chettih, Selmaan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.