Figure from Bulkin, et al. 2016, Titled: Placing Memories in Context: Hippocampal Representations Promote Retrieval of Appropriate Memories

Context Representations in the Hippocampus and Related Circuitry

Neural processing of contextual information and the ways in which contextual cues promote the retrieval of behavioral responses and memories.


Figure from the the Vedder et al. paper in Cerebral Cortex, 2017, titled Retrosplenial Cortical Neurons Encode Navigational Cues, Trajectories and Reward Locations During Goal Directed Navigation.

Role of the Retrosplenial Cortex in Memory and Navigation

The retrosplenial cortex is important for spatial, contextual and episodic memory, but little is known about this key memory structure. Gaining a better understanding of what the retrosplenial cortex does is a major goal for the lab.


Figure from the Peters et al. 2013 paper in the journal Learning & Memory, titled The Medial Prefrontal Cortex is Critical for Memory Retrieval and Resolving Interference.

The Role of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

Damage to the prefrontal cortex does not generally result in amnesia, as medial temporal lobe damage does, but the structure may play selective role in modulating memory retrieval.


Figure from Butterly et al., 2012, article in Hippocampus journal titled Hippocampal Context Processing is Critical for Interference Free Recall of Odor Memories in Rats.

Memory Retrieval and Resolving Interference

Interference is a critical problem for all memory systems and the neural circuitry that mediates interference-free memory retrieval is not well understood.


Figure from the Law et al., 2012, paper in Behavioral Neuroscience titled The Anterior Thalamus is Critical for Overcoming Interference in a Context-Dependent Odor Discrimination.

The Role of the Anterior Thalamus in Memory

The anterior thalamus is a critical component of the brain’s memory systems. Recent findings suggest that the anterior thalamus is importantly involved in contextual memory.


Figure from Smith et al, 2002 article in Journal of Neuroscience titled Limbic Thalamic Lesions, Appetitively Motivated Discrimination Learning And Learning-Related Neuronal Activity In Rabbits.

Neural Circuitry Involved in Instrumental Learning

The neural systems that support various forms of instrumental learning are a long-standing interest to the lab.