Neuromodulation of spatial representations

We perceive and remember spatial environments very differently depending on our current brain state. For example, we remember a route much better when we are actively navigating compared to when we are sitting in the passenger seat.

We hypothesize that this is due to neuromodulation, which can powerfully influence the stability of encoded spatial representations.

A few specific research questions we are focusing on:

1) Can the ascending cholinergic system alter the stability of spatial representations in cortex and hippocampus? (and does this effect memory stability?)

2) How does hormonal modulation (e.g., during the estrous cycle) affect spatial representations?

3) Do neurodegenerative diseases affect the stability of sensory representations?