Neuromodulatory correlates of continual learning in the neocortical circuits
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline (NE) are neuromodulators in the brain, which play important roles in memory replay and continual learning in cortical microcircuits. Memory replay is the process by which the brain replays previously learned information during periods of rest or sleep, which is critical for memory consolidation and integration of new information. Continual learning is the ongoing process of acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout life. In cortical circuits, the release of ACh during wakefulness and sleep enhances memory replay during rest and facilitates the consolidation of newly acquired memories into long-term memory storage. Therefore, ACh may promote the replay of specific memory traces and the timing and sequence of replay events, contributing to memory strengthening and integration. On the other hand, NE is released during periods of arousal and stress, and it has been shown to influence the replay of memories during both rest and active states. The release of NE enhances the responsiveness of cortical neurons to new information and facilitates the formation of new synaptic connections, promoting the integration of newly acquired knowledge into existing neural networks. Therefore, NE could regulate continual learning by governing synaptic plasticity in cortical circuits. In this project, we will test how alternating levels of high and low activity ACh and NE acetylcholine are critical for learning and how the concerted action of ACh and NE differentially modulates the excitability of cell-types and synaptic transmission to enable continual learning and memory consolidation in the cortex. We will employ an innovative combination of experiments and computational modeling to unravel how ACh and NE shape synaptic plasticity, neural activity, and memory consolidation in cortical circuits to enable the integration of new information during continual learning. The application of our research will directly impact the Air Force-DoD, notably in the design of adaptive learning systems and intelligent technology for real-world navigation. In addition, our work will enable innovations in learning and training to help individuals adapt to new situations, perform effectively in different contexts, and identify strategies to manage post-traumatic stress disorder experienced by veterans and active-duty personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310533
Entities
People
- Srikanth Ramaswamy
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Newcastle University
- United States Air Force