MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: From cells to mind: Relational neurons and computations creating mental structures crucial for learning and memory

Nowadays, the vast majority of scientific advances depend on interdisciplinary training and approaches. This PhD studentship will empower and be empowered by a strong and dedicated student to advance the neural science of learning and memory by bridging work relying on (1) cellular recordings in animal models and humans, (2) neuro-computational simulation and perturbation, and (3) patients with memory deficits.

Timeliness of project:
We predict that the brain’s hippocampal-cortical memory system has a much more multifaceted role in learning and memory than currently thought, interesting new aspects of which may be found to require the hippocampus, in work with patients that have focal hippocampal atrophy. The key hypothesis is that the hippocampal-cortical system transforms most potentially meaningful relationships separated in time into “relational codes”, the brain’s memory trace not requiring continuous activity to maintain. This new way of thinking about the problem predicts the existence of ‘relational neurons’ and the nature of the neural code. Possibly time is transformed into a spatial code involving ‘place cells’, the discovery of which led to the Nobel Prize to O’Keefe & the Mosers. Alternatively, the student may discover that relational codes do not depend on place cells. Both outcomes could be theoretically impactful in whichever form they are discovered. With the ideal combination of training and support, the student can develop an exciting career trajectory as they advance knowledge on neural coding principles and on the clinical impact of hippocampal damage.

Interdisciplinary approach:
The student will receive training on cutting-edge techniques including electrophysiological recordings from the human and nonhuman primate hippocampus, computational modelling, and neuropsychological testing in patients with specific hippocampal damage. The interdisciplinary research strands will be supported by a highly synergistic UK academic, neurological and industry team, complemented by key USA partners offering innovative approaches and training. The work with patients is periodic depending on patient availability and can occur in combination with the more time demanding neurophysiological recordings in the nonhuman primates, a crucial animal model for human cognition. Computational simulation can dovetail with the experimental work and be informed by neurostimulation approaches (supported by industrial partners) to perturb key sites in cortex or the hippocampus; thereby creating focal neural disruption and studying the impact on learning and memory. The student will be based in Newcastle University (Petkov, Griffiths, Kaiser labs in lead support) with periodic visits to other UK (Phillips & Cutler from Brain Box) and US (Howard, Buffalo, Miller) partners.

UK PARTNERS:
Petkov, Wilson, Calmus & Kikuchi (human and primate behaviour and neurophysiology and modelling): https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/lcnncl/
Griffiths, Lad & Mullally (consultant neurologist, memory disorders): https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/staff/profile/timgriffiths.html#background
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/staff/profile/sineadmullally.html#background
Kaiser (neuro-computational modelling): https://www.dynamic-connectome.org/
Phillips & Cutler (Rogue Resolutions industrial partner, non-invasive neurostimulation): https://brainbox.rogue-resolutions.com/


USA PARTNERS:

Matthew Howard III (chief neurosurgeon, University of Iowa): https://medicine.uiowa.edu/neurology/profile/matthew-howard

Elizabeth Buffalo (hippocampal recordings, University of Washington, Seattle):
http://depts.washington.edu/neurogrd/people/faculty/elizabeth-buffalo/

Cory Miller (hippocampal recordings, University of California, San Diego):
http://millerlab.ucsd.edu/

Benefits of being in the DiMeN DTP:
This project is part of the Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Partnership (DiMeN DTP), a diverse community of PhD students across the North of England researching the major health problems facing the world today. Our partner institutions (Universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield) are internationally recognised as centres of research excellence and can offer you access to state-of the-art facilities to deliver high impact research.
We are very proud of our student-centred ethos and committed to supporting you throughout your PhD. As part of the DTP, we offer bespoke training in key skills sought after in early career researchers, as well as opportunities to broaden your career horizons in a range of non-academic sectors.
Being funded by the MRC means you can access additional funding for research placements, international training opportunities or internships in science policy, science communication and beyond. See how our current DiMeN students have benefited from this funding here: http://www.dimen.org.uk/overview/student-profiles/flexible-supplement-awards
Further information on the programme can be found on our website:
http://www.dimen.org.uk/