Imaging adult-born neurons in action using head-mounted minimicroscopes

Human and animal research has shown that modulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis – the generation of neurons – can lead to changes in memory and emotion, but the underlying mechanisms are not well characterized. Dr. Michael Drew and colleagues will image adult-born neurons during learning behavior via incorporating head-mounted minimicroscopes (developed with prior BRAIN Initiative support). Dr. Drew’s laboratory will perform calcium imaging experiments in awake, behaving mice during a contextual fear conditioning paradigm and, using optogenetic techniques, they will silence adult-born hippocampal neurons in order to characterize how these neurons impact the coding of context memory. These studies will enhance the understanding of the mechanisms by which changes in adult neurogenesis influences mood and cognition.