Neurobiological substrates of volitional social learning and memory

All memories, including social memories, are encoded in neuronal ensembles. Neuronal ensembles are small populations of sparsely distributed neurons selected by specific stimuli. We recently developed and published a mouse model of volitional social learning using a custom-made apparatus. This model provides a unique opportunity to study the neurobiological substrates of volitional social learning and memory. Previous studies have shown that the hippocampus, in particular the CA2 region, is critical for encoding social memories. However, almost all prior studies on the neurobiological basis of mouse social interaction fail to account for the volitional aspect of social interaction. The project we propose entails a collaboration between our lab at University of Oxford and Dr. Hope’s lab at NIDA IRP to investigate the role of hippocampal neuronal ensembles in volitional social learning and memory. Dr. Hope and Dr. Ramsey have developed and implemented the volitional social learning task, and my lab regularly performs in vivo recordings in neuronal ensembles of the hippocampus.  Thus, we will co-mentor a graduate student through the NIH OxCam program to investigate activity in the hippocampus that encodes volitional social memories.