The medial septum is essential for learning and memory and this may be due to its important role in pacing hippocampal theta. Our lab is aiming to determine how neurons of the medial septum can modulate and control the different theta oscillators. To answer these questions we combine the use of an isolated preparation in vitro2 that comprises both the hippocampus and the medial septum will all the connections between them. We use optogenetics to manipulate the different types of medial septal neurons to determine their role in theta rhythm.

Papers related to this theme:

1. Huh et al., 2010. Journal of Neuroscience
2. Manseau et al., 2008. Journal of Neuroscience
3. Goutagny et al., 2008. Hippocampus