Understanding how memories are formed is fundamental to knowing ourselves. Memories influence our behavior and shape our personalities. The question how our brain is capable of encoding and storing memories is the main focus of our group.

In our brain, neurons communicate with each other through synapses. At a synapse, neurotransmitter released by one neuron is received by neurotransmitter receptors at the second neuron. It is believed that memory encoding occurs through the selective strengthening and weakening of synapses within a circuit of neurons. A prevalent mechanism for this synaptic plasticity is changing the number of AMPA-type glutamate receptors at the receiving end of the synapse.

In our group we use our knowledge of AMPA-receptor plasticity as a tool to study adaptive behavior in mice. By monitoring AMPA-receptor trafficking we can identify synapses that undergo experience-dependent changes during memory formation. By manipulating AMPA-receptor function we can influence animal behavior.

The study of AMPA-receptor trafficking not only feeds our fundamental knowledge of cognitive function, but also may learn us more about cognitive dysfunction. Alzheimer’s disease patients have difficulties acquiring new memories. How synaptic plasticity is corrupted in mouse models for Alzheimer’s disease is studied in our group.