Neuronal oscillations are an energy efficient mechanism for neuronal communication and information processing, and thus a plausible mechanism for learning and memory. Since the functional connection between hippocampus and cortex is required to store new memories to cortex and recent studies show that this neuronal plasticity can be weakened by disrupting hippocampal ripples (200 Hz neuronal oscillatory bursts), it is vital to further explore the neuronal interplay between hippocampus and cortical structures. We will perform three experiments in freely moving rats to test specific hypothesis of memory formation.

   The research is conducted in Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. It is funded by Academy of Finland, 2011-2014, 508 000 €). The research group includes project leader (principal investigator) docent Markku Penttonen, PhD, researcher docent Jan Wikgren, PhD, researcher Miriam Nokia, PhD,  and yet unnamed fulltime postdoctoral researcher.