Memory, Aging and Plasticity (MAP)

 

Team leaders : Bernard Frances and Claire Rampon

 

 

 

 

General theme

The Memory, Aging and Plasticity team studies the phenomena of adaptation and plasticity related to spatial memory and episodic memory, by analyzing the normal functioning of the brain structures involved as well as their deregulation with age or in disorders thought to result from memory dysfunction. Mechanisms of learning-induced plasticity will be studied from the molecular, cellular, pharmacological and cognitive angles, which constitute the basis of our team’s strength and originality. The work will emphasize the role of hippocampal regions and their connections, which predominantly influence the processes of memory acquisition, consolidation, recall and reconsolidation. The long-term storage of this information depends on a reorganization of neuronal networks that requires high levels of protein synthesis and the degradation of particular proteins immediately after acquisition, in order for consolidation or reconsolidation to take place. These two phenomena are central to our work, as is the phenomenon of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus, its modulation by cognitive stimulation, and its potential role in neurodegenerative disorders.

 

The research activity of the team is organized according to 5 main axes :

 

• Mechanisms of memory reconsolidation - Pascal Roullet

• Functional role of hippocampal neurogenesis in memory processes - Claire Rampon

• Synaptic plasticity induced in the hippocampal CA3 region by contextual learning - Lionel Dahan and Jean-Michel Lassalle

• Synaptic plasticity induced by Place Preference Conditioning - Bernard Frances

• Impact of stress and of various factors affecting neuronal plasticity on physiological and pathological aging - Eric Le Bourg, Claire Rampon and Jean-Michel Lassalle

 

 

Faculty members and CNRS Researchers

 

Researchers	Lionel Dahan Bernard Francés Cédrick Florian Jean-Michel Lassalle Eric Le Bourg Claire Rampon Pascal Roullet	Assistant Professor, Neuroscience First class Professor, Neuropharmacology Assistant Professor, Neuroscience Professor Emeritus, Neuroscience CNRS researcher, Cognition CNRS researcher, Neuroscience First class Professor, Neuroscience
Engineers, Technicians	Hélène Halley Stéphane Pech	Technician, University Technician, University, 50%
PhD students	Johnatan Ceccom Timothé Escude Alice Krezymon Clémence Leclerc Nicolas Massaly Kevin Richetin	Supervisor J.M. Lassalle Supervisors F. Pituello & C. Rampon Supervisors C. Rampon & B. Frances Supervisors C. Rampon & T. Gallopin Supervisors B. Frances & L. Moulédous Supervisor C. Rampon
Undergraduate students	Lauriane Bray Caroline Hovnanian Anne- Céline Gourinal Jessica Remaud Alexandra Dupire Raphaël Bouton	Advisor B. Frances Advisor B. Frances Advisor P. Roullet Advisor L. Dahan Advisors C. Rampon & M. Wolff Advisors C.Florian & C. Rampon