We employ in vivo electrophysiology to record single units during spatial memory tasks.
This is the path of a mouse as he performs a continuous alternation memory task. He must choose to visit opposite sides of the maze to receive tasty treats.
This is the path of a mouse as he explores a circular arena looking for food. Each time a single cell in the hippocampus fires an action potential - a red dot is plotted. Behold a place cell.
Our previous work involved recording from populations of place cells during open field foraging tasks. Such recordings from freely moving animals allow us to learn a lot about spatial codes - but we are very excited to be additionally recording during spatial memory tasks (like shown above). Furthermore, working with mice affords us the ability to manipulate genetically defined cell types while recording in vivo.