hippocampus lecture 4

Question 1

Phase precession

Answer 1

• Phase precession occurs in hippocampal place cells
• refers to a systematic change in spike timing relative to theta oscillations
• Leads to a formation of spike sequences that reflect behavioural sequences

Question 2

Evidence for phase precession?

Answer 2

skaggs et al., (1996) found evidence for phase precession in CA1. Noisy, non linear.

Question 3

Sequential activation

Answer 3

Diba and Busaki (2008)- forward and reverse replay of hippocampal place cells. COuld be important for memory- storage, retrieval and consolidation

Question 4

Replay during sleep

Answer 4

Lee and WIlson (2002) evidence for the activation of place cells in order during SWS. Drive consolidation.

Question 5

What is mental time travel

Answer 5

In humans characterised by two distinct features:

1. the ability to re- experience and pre experience events
2. the awareness of being the owner of the memories and forethought.

problem: not accessible for empirical studies in animals

Question 6

Behavioural criteria for episodic cognition without conscious awareness (Clayton et al., 2003)

Answer 6

1. structure
2. content
3. flexibility - bring in information from semanic knowledge

Question 7

Clayton and Dickinson (1998)

Answer 7

Casching behaviour in jack daws.
Peanuts and worms (prefer the worms).
- if kept away for 4 hours they go to worms
- if 124 hours go to peanuts
= they could have some form of mental time travel

Question 8

how could we study the underlying neural processes (timing)

Answer 8

Avian

Question 9

What are forward and reverse replay?

Answer 9

before an animal takes a path- recall

after an animal has taken a path- coincidental with dopamine release.