Controlling brain cells with light: Investigating the role of high frequency brain rhythms in cognitive processing.

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric condition, and existing medications are not satisfactory. In particular, cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, which include deficits in working memory, are recognised as core features of the disorder but are not improved by any known treatments. An emerging theory that has gained much popularity is that cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are due to disturbances in high frequency brain rhythms, referred to as gamma oscillations. Gamma oscillations underlie many higher order brain processes, including those which are dysfunctional in schizophrenia, supporting a causal link. However, this remains at a theoretical stage, with much to be discovered regarding the causes of aberrant gamma oscillations in schizophrenia, and how these impact cognition. This project will take advantage of recent technological advances allowing for the activity of specific brain cells to be selectively controlled using light. This technique, referred to as optogenetics, will be used to directly target the cells known to generate gamma oscillations (Parvalbumin-positive cells; PV cells) and assess what the effects of this are on oscillatory activity and working memory performance in mice. This project aims to answer two primary research questions: 1. Does PV cell inhibition during specific stages of a working memory task alter task performance? 2. Does PV cell inhibition cause disruptions to gamma oscillatory activity? Project related methods/skills/technologies: • Mouse surgery • Optogenetics • Mouse behavioural assessment (touch-screen cognitive testing) • In vivo electrophysiology • Signal processing and analysis of electrophysiological data (using MATLAB and/or python) This project is available as an Honours, Masters or a PhD project and would be suitable for a student with a strong interest in behavioural neuroscience.