Lisa Giocomo

The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), the brain’s “inner GPS”, contains an internal map of external space. Rather than representing a static spatial map, however, MEC neurons can spontaneously switch between multiple maps (Low et al., 2021). In this project, we will investigate if spontaneous map switches reflect changes in an animal’s latent internal state.

Behavioral state—such as alertness or exhaustion—dramatically impacts how our brains function. Yet, in spite of the key role that it plays in cognition, how behavioral state influences brain function remains a central mystery in neuroscience.

The goal of the project is to create a transformative sensor technology to measure complex forms of chemical communication in the living brain, in real time.