Our neurofeedback training paradigm couples online detection of SWRs with rapid positive feedback (food reward). The training paradigm dramatically increases SWR rate during the targeted interval, and these SWRs correspond to high-quality replay events with flexible, task relevant content.

Gillespie AK, Astudillo Maya DA, Denovellis EL, Desse S, Frank LM

bioRxiv (2022)

Hippocampal replay has frequently been hypothesized to subserve planning purposes. We show that in a well-learned spatial memory task, replay content does not overrepresent the upcoming choice of the animal, but instead is biased towards previous goal locations. This suggests a role for replay in memory maintentance rather than directly planning subsequent choice.

Gillespie AK, Astudillo Maya DA, Denovellis EL, Liu DF, Kastner DB, Coulter ME, Roumis DK, Eden UT, Frank LM

Neuron 109(19):3149-3163 (2021)

Preview by Kamran Diba & highlight by the Simons Foundation

By recording from apoE3 and apoe4-KI mice over long time periods, we discovered that some changes in SWR features, such as slow gamma power, were predictive of later behavioral impairment. This finding supports the use of patterns of hippocampal activity, such as sharp wave ripples, and biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease processes.

Jones EA, Gillespie AK, Yoon SY, Frank LM, Huang Y

Cell Reports, 29(8):2123-2133 (2019)

This study was the first to characterize abnormalities in hippocampal sharp-wave ripples in apoe4-KI mice. We found that apoE4 mice showed reduced rates of SWRs as well as compromised SWR-associated slow gamma oscillations. Removing pathogenic apoE4 from hippocampal interneurons, a manipulation which prevents cognitive impairment, rescued the slow gamma deficit.

Gillespie AK, Jones EA, Lin YH, Karlsson MP, Kay K, Yoon SY, Tong LM, Nova P, Carr JS, Frank LM, Huang Y

Neuron 90(4)740-51 (2016)