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Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory encoding during attentive processing from place

Award Number: R21MH135251
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/18/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory encoding during attentive processing from place - Project Summary / Abstract Spatial memory is a core competency necessary for healthy independent living and for animal survival. While the hippocampus is well-established to be necessary for spatial memory, it remains poorly understood when and what the hippocampus does to support spatial memory. Studies of hippocampal function in rodents have focused predominantly on epochs of locomotion and quiet rest. Minimal attention has been given to the ubiquitously observed non-locomotor exploratory behavior of rearing onto the hind legs (rearing for short). Rearing occurs most frequently in novel environments, correlates with environmental learning, and engages rhythmic processing in the hippocampus. Yet, it remains untested whether epochs of rearing are necessary for spatial memory performance and what updates to the neuronal population code result from rearing. This project will address these gaps with new empirical experiments. Our focus on rearing is motivated by our new preliminary data showing that inhibiting the dorsal hippocampus selectively during rearing impairs spatial memory. Aim 1 will establish the importance of rearing as an epoch of hippocampal dependent spatial memory encoding in relation to other well-studied behavioral epochs. We will accomplish this through closed-loop optogenetic modulation of hippocampal activity and behavioral analysis in rats. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that rearing supports error correction of spatial coding in the hippocampus. This will be accomplished through chronically implanted arrays of independently movable tetrodes in freely behaving rats. By the completion of these aims, this project will advance our mechanistic understanding of spatial memory and for our understanding of rearing as an epoch of mnemonic encoding. If successful, these results will lay the foundation for an R01-level program of research investigating the mechanistic basis of the rearing-mediated learning effect and the relevance of rearing-mediated learning for memory disorders and mental health.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $198,125 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	107 S INDIANA AVE	BLOOMINGTON	IN	47405	MONROE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	1/27/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$168,406
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	107 S INDIANA AVE	BLOOMINGTON	IN	47405	MONROE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	2	9/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$29,719
														Subtotal = $198,125

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $237,750 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	107 S INDIANA AVE	BLOOMINGTON	IN	47405	MONROE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	12/18/2023	NEW	$237,750
														Subtotal = $237,750

Grand Total All Awards = $435,875

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Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory encoding during attentive processing from place

Award Number: R21MH135251

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/18/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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