Hippocampal neurogenesis and forgetting - Paul Frankland

Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Seminar Series Presents

Paul Frankland, PhD, FRSC

Senior Scientist, Neuroscience & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

Host: Amin Shakhawat

Abstract

New neurons are generated in the hippocampus throughout life. Our studies showed that these neurons integrate into hippocampal memory traces where they promote the encoding of new memories. However, we also found that increasing neurogenesis induces forgetting of memories already stored in the hippocampus. This finding suggests that the function of hippocampal neurogenesis is to regulate a balance between encoding new, and clearing out old, memories. In my presentation, I will focus on how the integration of new neurons causes forgetting, highlighting experiments where we have either enhanced or impeded integration of new neurons into hippocampal circuits.