Understanding how brain cells form memories in the hippocampus
Official title: Local Circuit Control of Rapid Plasticity and Tunable Ensemble Formation in the Hippocampus
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10725714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help us learn and remember things, and it aims to find out how we can make these memory maps more stable, which could help people with memory-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,554,313 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS133381-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10725714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with memory-related disorders or cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without memory issues or those not experiencing cognitive decline may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which specific brain cells in the hippocampus, known as place cells, form and change rapidly to support learning and memory. By using advanced techniques to manipulate these cells, the researchers aim to create stable maps of memory representations. The study focuses on understanding how different types of local circuit controls influence the behavior of these cells, which could lead to new insights into memory formation. Patients may benefit from this research as it explores fundamental processes that could be relevant to memory-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing memory and learning in patients with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in manipulating neuronal circuits to influence memory, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Losonczy, Attila — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Losonczy, Attila
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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.