Memory Index project
Memory Index project
Hippocampus - a complementary coding machine for episodic memories in humans
The goal of MemoryIndex is to advance our understanding of the coding mechanisms that underlie human episodic memory. It is set to reveal how the two neuronal codes - the episode specific code and the concept code - contribute to memory function in the hippocampus. This will be achieved by pursuing three overarching objectives in three different streams / work packages, using a unique combination of human single neuron recordings, ultra-high field fMRI, and invasive electrical stimulation.
Work Packages
Package 1
This team investigates whether episode specific codes and concept codes are implemented by different groups of neurons. This will help unveil the ways these neurons interact to support episodic memory, episode-specific-code's stability over time, and how memory episodes similar in content are distinguished by these neurons.
Team: Bārbala Ostrovska (PhD), Prof. Simon Hanslmayr (PI, supervisor), Dr. Matthew Self (PI, co-supervisor)
Package 2
Here, the goal is to learn whether episode specific and concept coding populations of neurons map onto different hippocampal regions and examine their interaction with the neocortex in the context of episodic memory.
Team: Dr. Anna Karlsson (Postdoc), Prof. Simon Hanslmayr (PI, supervisor)
Package 3
This package has two sub packages - A) Computational modelling and B) Electrical microstimulation. Part A) has already started and B) is to begin in early 2027. The aim is to use computational modelling and electrical stimulation to explore artificial allocation of episode specific neurons to memories and their recall.
Team A): Denis Grigoryev (PhD), Prof. Simon Hanslmayr (PI, supervisor), Prof. Marcus Kaiser (PI, co-supervisor)