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Exploring the neural coding in behaving animals by novel optogenetic, high-density microrecordings and computational approaches: Towards cognitive Brain-Computer Interfaces (ENLIGHTENMENT)
Start date: Mar 1, 2012, End date: Aug 31, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

In this project we aim to investigate the mechanisms involved in memory storage in the brain by a combination of advanced multisite, single unit neural activity monitoring, closed-loop patterned and cell specific activations, and computational techniques, that would allow developing ways to stimulate brain networks in an activity-driven fashion. Combining neuroscience, neuroengineering and computational methods, we intend to create a technological platform for directly interacting with cell assemblies in a two-way dialogue. Using this, we will investigate whether manipulations of cell assembly activities can actually delete or create memories in behavioral experiments. In particular we will concentrate on the hippocampal/cortical interactions in a memory consolidation context as well as on the interactions between two cortical areas, the prefrontal and perirhinal cortex that form a hierarchical representation of memories. The results will provide solid evidence for the role of assemblies in memory processes, and the proof of concept of how these could be manipulated. Eventually these findings should enable radically new research directions for neuro-inspired technologies such as neuromorphic design and cognitive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) with consequences that we can only begin to imagine.
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