KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The effect of irrelevant visual experience on visual memory

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Indulkar_ku_0099M_16702_DATA_1.pdf (1.536Mb)
    Issue Date
    2019-08-31
    Author
    Indulkar, Shreya Sanjay
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    67 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.S.
    Discipline
    Pharmacology & Toxicology
    Rights
    Copyright held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Consolidation of memories for long term storage involves increases in excitatory synaptic strength and connectivity between neurons encoding a novel experience. The increase in neuronal excitability caused by memory consolidation could augment excitability induced by the experience of related stimuli irrelevant to the memory. Therefore, the additional neuronal excitability caused by memory consolidation could perturb neuronal activity homeostasis towards higher neuronal activation levels. Under conditions of neuronal hyperactivity, such as in Alzheimer’s disease, an increase in excitation induced by memory consolidation would further destabilize homeostasis. We hypothesize that memory deficiency, which would result in reduced neuronal excitability, is an adaptation to maintain neuronal activity homeostasis. To test this hypothesis and to identify whether experience-evoked activity contributes to memory impairments, we used a visual recognition memory (VRM) paradigm that involves synaptic plasticity in the primary visual cortex. In this paradigm, mice are repeatedly presented with a visual grating of a specific orientation and the recognition memory is assessed as a decrease in the exploration of the same stimulus over time. We tested the orientation selective behavioral habituation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (J20 line) and non-transgenic control siblings (wild type). We found that wild type mice display VRM for grating stimulus when tested one day but not at one month after the training period. In contrast, J20 mice did not display VRM even one day after the training period. To examine whether reducing neuronal excitability caused by memory irrelevant visual experience influences the long-term retention of the VRM for grating stimulus, we performed the same task in mice housed in total darkness except during the VRM task. Our preliminary data indicate that dark adaptation rescues the memory deficit in J20 mice whereas disrupts memory in control mice when tested one day after the training. These results suggest that competing experiences promote memory storage in control mice but interferes with it in APP mice.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/29843
    Collections
    • Pharmacy Dissertations and Theses [118]
    • Theses [3772]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    Login

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps