Dissecting a fear memory engram
By G Vetere (Pfr ESPCI, Paris)
le Mercredi 25 Mars 13h
Attention la conférence a lieu un mercredi et non un vendredi
How does the brain transform fleeting experiences into stable memories that can shape behavior long after the event has passed? A central challenge in neuroscience is to identify which neurons constitute a memory engram, when they are recruited during learning, and how they later drive memory expression.
In our laboratory, we study how associative memories are formed, stabilized, and stored within distributed neural networks. Using a strategy that allows us to visualize and tag neurons based on calcium influx with exceptional temporal precision, we uncovered distinct and non-overlapping neuronal ensembles in dorsal CA1 that are selectively engaged during specific phases of associative fear learning. By dissecting the acquisition process into meaningful temporal windows and aligning neuronal activity with salient sensory and behavioral events, we were able to map how learning unfolds across time.
Our results show that neurons activated during these discrete learning epochs are not only recruited during acquisition but are also sufficient to trigger memory expression when reactivated. Moreover, we identify a core population of engram cells that is indispensable for both memory formation and recall, revealing how different ensemble identities cooperate to support long-term memory storage.
In this talk, I will discuss the functional specialization of these ensembles, their distinct contributions to associative learning, and the mechanisms by which they collectively encode lasting memory traces. These findings provide fresh insight into the architecture of memory engrams and help bridge the gap between cellular activity and behavioral expression of memory.Vous êtes invité à une webconférence.
Début le 25/03/2026 à 13:00 (heure de Europe/Paris)
Durée prévisionnelle : 02:30
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