Ziyi Guo
Jadhav Laboratory
Department of Psychology
Brandeis University
Got Milk? Assessing Behavior Driven By Sensory Cues and Memory in Rats
Poster Abstract
Navigation-critical circuits may operate in different manners when driven by memory internally verses when driven by cues externally. It is known that hippocampus (area CA1) is active while representing space and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is active during working memory-guided behavior. Our aim is to investigate how the hippocampus promotes cue versus memory-driven behavior in conjunction with the prefrontal cortex during spatial navigation tasks. We used a visually-cued working memory paradigm where rats need to remember previously cued locations for milk rewards. Animals can successfully be trained to perform this task with high accuracy. A 128- channel microdrive array is used to implant multiple tetrodes in CA1 and PFC regions to monitor neural population activity during behavior. Ongoing physiology experiments are designed to acquire local field potential (LFP) and spiking activity simultaneously from both regions. We hypothesize that local field potential network activity will be different during visually-guided and working-memory guided phases, underlying distinct coordination mechanisms in the CA1- PFC network.
Personal Statement
My experience in the Jadhav Lab has shown me the importance of both perseverance and critical thinking in research. Although the question we set out to answer seemed straightforward, the process turned out to be extremely difficult. Initially, I often found myself lost in manual works such as reaming tubes and habituating rats. However, it eventually occurred to me that every trivial step contributes to the final experiment. At the same time, I began to think more critically as a researcher, as there are so many variables that could affect how the experiments are done and how data is interpreted. During the summer, I was also able to consolidate the skills that I was exposed to during the semester, such as 3D modeling and data analysis. Through the help of my mentor, PI and other members of the lab, I now have a whole new appreciation for the complexity of what we are studying. Furthermore, I become more confident in expressing my scientific reasonings and seeking help from colleagues. All of these cannot be realized without the support of the Bauer Fellowship, which I feel incredibly grateful for.