Mechanism-targeted plasticity induction

CHOLINERGIC EFFECTS ON COGNITIVE PROCESSES AND NON-INVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION FOR MECHANISM-TARGETED PLASTICITY INDUCTION

Resource Mobilisation

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter produced by neurons in the basal forebrain projecting to the cortex and hippocampus. It has been linked with a multitude of cognitive functions including selective attention and memory. Cognitive decline in aging has been associated with a reduction of cholinergic signalling. In this project, we investigate the role of ACh for the mobilisation of resources. We aim towards a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of cholinergic modulation for improving cognitive vitality and to develop tools to modulate ACh activity non-invasively. The reduction of cholinergic signalling is also particularly important in various forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, in which the basal forebrain is affected by degeneration early on. Research in animals and humans has demonstrated a role of ACh in attentional regulation, especially on the increase of attentional focusing on relevant perceptual inputs after errors. Animal research furthermore suggests that ACh plays a major role in the recruitment of control and may influence the willingness to invest cognitive effort. This can help compensate for perturbations of neural resources. For example, a study in humans has shown that cholinesterase inhibitors, which increase ACh availability, can at least partially remedy attentional deficits induced by sleep deprivation, a transient reduction of neural resources. Thus, we hypothesise that ACh is necessary for the mobilisation of resources. The present project aims at testing this hypothesis, mechanistically understanding the role of ACh in resource mobilisation, and developing tools to modulate ACh activity noninvasively. To this end, cross-species studies in rodents and humans are planned.
We will explore principles of resource mobilisation through cholinergic circuits. Specifically, we will investigate how cholinergic modulation through stimulation (nucleus basalis, medial septum) can be used to mobilise learning and memory processes (neuronal firing mode transitions, neuronal oscillations in the theta- and gamma range, engram formation).