Activity-induced changes in the structure and function of synaptic connections are responsible for experience-dependent development and refinement of neural circuits, as well as learning and memory functions of the brain.Cognitive learning piaget correlated spiking of pre- and postsynaptic neurons is capable of inducing persistent changes in synaptic efficacy, known as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD).Cognitive learning piaget moreover, the temporal order of pre- and postsynaptic spiking is critical in determining whether LTP and LTD will be induced at the synapse.Cognitive learning piaget this spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) may provide a mechanism for the neural circuit to store temporal sequence information. We are testing the hypothesis that neuronal ensembles in the brain use STDP to store learned sequence of sensory and motor information, and retrieval of stored sequence information could be accomplished by partial activation of a subset of neuronal assembles.Cognitive learning piaget we are using multi-electrode array recording, calciumimaging over large populations of neurons, and optogenetic manipulation of selective neuronal populations in vivo to test this hypothesis.Cognitive learning piaget

Activity-induced modifications associated with LTP and LTD are known to be accompanied by structural changes at synapses that may serve for long-term storage of memory.Cognitive learning piaget while large-scale formation and elimination of new synapses have been observed during early brain development, after injury of adult brain, and in cultures of brain slices and dissociated neurons, the extent of structural rewiring during physiological memory formation in the adult brainremains unclear.Cognitive learning piaget using long-term two-photon imaging at specific synaptic connections that may be involved in long-term memory, we are searching forthe structural changes of synaptic connections that are causally related to the formation and consolidation of long-term memory in the cortical and subcortical structures，as well as the changes in the dynamics of activity-induced synaptic changes associated with aging and brain disorders.Cognitive learning piaget

Substantial progress has been made in our understanding of neural substrates underlyingbasic cognitive functions, e.G., sensory perception, multi-sensory integration, learning and memory, decision-making, and attention, using a variety of animals as model organisms.Cognitive learning piaget by contrast, we knew very little about the “higher” cognitive functions that are restricted only to humans and a few species of non-human primates, including empathy, self-awareness, and language.Cognitive learning piaget it is generally agreed that evolutionary changes in the genetic program of humans must account for the emergence of cognitive functions that are uniquely human.Cognitive learning piaget one approach to understanding their neural substrates is to introduce human-specific genes into non-human primates and dissect the corresponding changes in the neural circuits and cognitive behaviors of these genetically modified non-human primates.Cognitive learning piaget with the recent development of efficient methods of genetic manipulation in macaque monkeys and marmosets, this approach is now within the horizon of neurobiological research.Cognitive learning piaget in collaboration with other laboratories in the institutes, we are taking the initial steps in studying human-specific cognitive functions, self-awareness and language capacity in particular, using genetically modified monkeys.Cognitive learning piaget