A neuromodulation based model of CA1 for navigation and learning
Krubeal Danieli (PhD candidate, Fyhn Group, FYSCELL, IBV)
The ability to effectively navigate the environment and form relevant memories is a precious feature for any autonomous agent. The neurobiological underpinnings of tthese processes are an active field of research within neuroscience, with the hippocampus emerging as a particularly important region for both. The main goal of my doctoral project is to investigate the role of neuromodulators in navigation and learning. Specifically, we are interested in how the brain forms useful spatial representations from the activity of spatial cells, and encodes new memory traces according to novelty and saliencysignals. To achieve this, we are developing a computational abstraction of hippocampal dynamics, with a focus on modeling area CA 1 and the action of dopamine, acetylcholine, and noradrenaline. The resulting model will be tested on both artificial learning tasks, such as sequence memory and maze navigation, as well as real data from neurophysiological recordings. As for now, we have laid down the first draft of the model and applied it to remapping in CA 1 place cells using a novel synaptic plasticity rule called 'Behavioural Timing Synaptic Plasticity'.