It has recently been shown that astrocytes play a leading role in a particular aspect of memory known as \u27pattern separation\u27 - differentiating between similar experiences or episodes in memory (say, recalling where you parked your car today compared to where you parked it yesterday). Pattern separation is disrupted in a wide variety of diseases of the brain so it is of considerable interest to memory researchers.
We have already shown in a small pilot study that we can improve pattern separation with selective manipulation of astrocytes in a specific brain region. In this project, we will attempt to demonstrate a clear relationship between astrocyte signalling and performance at pattern separation, and propose the underlying mechanisms of this influence of astrocytes on pattern separation.https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/brainscanprojectsummaries/1018/thumbnail.jp
