Research
Motor Control and Memory
The ultimate output of the cognitive functions in the brain is observable through behavior. While motor memory is crucial for effectively applying learned motor skills at the right moment, the neural mechanisms of motor memory formation have received relatively less attention compared to its importance and significance. We study the principles of motor control and motor memory formation in rodents and extend our findings to human and non-human primates with collaborations.
Please watch PI's lecture for the memory types and theory of memory consolidation (Korean lecture).
To study the principles of motor control and motor memory formation in rodents, our main approaches involve natural motor tasks such as the reach-to-grasp task, as well as Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) tasks.
The reaching task involves a natural paw movement. Rats are trained to initiate the movement of their paw toward a pellet and retract the pellet to obtain it. The rats undergo daily training for this reaching task over a long-term period (2-3 weeks) to form long-term memories.
In our rodent BMI model, spiking activity is decoded into mechanical actuator movement. In a trial, the feeding tube rotates toward the target based on brain signals, and upon reaching the target, a water reward is given. With training, animals improve task performance, notably reducing task time.
Sleep and Memory Consolidation
Sleep is essential for learning and memory formation. Research on brain activity during sleep is a critical focus for understanding the formation of motor memory. It is known that the majority of memory consolidation occurs during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, a phenomenon observed in humans, primates, and rodents. Slow-oscillations and spindles in the cortex, and hippocampal sharp-wave ripples during NREM sleep play important roles in memory consolidation.
Our lab research focuses on the role of these sleep oscillations in motor learning and memory processing. Specifically, we aim to conduct in-depth studies on the connectivity between brain areas where these sleep oscillations are present (e.g., prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, and the hippocampus), to understand their role in long-term memory formation or the system's memory consolidation process.
Computational Modeling and Memory Quantification
The field requires innovative approaches to comprehensively understand biological computation across various levels, spanning from DNA to the transmission of information between cells. This transformative understanding is essential for effectively leveraging neuroscience in a predictable and reliable manner. Our methodology involves computational modeling (both theoretical and mathematical) and computational analysis (utilizing techniques for dimensional reduction and memory quantification).
Motor Diseases and Brain-Machine Interface
Moreover, for the advancement of treatments and rehabilitation methods for motor-deficit diseases and the development of technologies such as Brain-Machine Interface (BMI), understanding the neural mechanisms related to memory consolidation in the motor cortex plays a crucial role. Our research involves developing active therapeutic methods and real-time closed-loop circuit systems for enhancing BMI performance, based on brain stimulation during sleep. Our lab combines electrophysiological techniques with cutting-edge technologies like optical imaging and optogenetic stimulation to elucidate memory formation and motor learning principles across various brain regions during sleep.
Special Research Topic: Origin of Creativity - Dream
Salvador Dalí’s method to enhance creative insight for art.
Step 1. Getting sleep holding heavy object.
Step 2. Right as falling asleep, hand would drop the object, causing a loud noise that would wake the sleeper.
Step 3. Use and record insights in sleep.
Sleep or dreams may be an origin of creative ideas, and modulating relevant sleep processing may enhance the ability to creatively solve problems. We are seeking to understand the role of sleep in the emergence of creative ideas and find neuromodulation techniques to enhance that process.
