Kenichi Okamoto

Understanding how neural circuits process memory information is essential for elucidating brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Autism. Our research focuses on dissecting the complex molecular machinery in neural circuits that serve for the encoding and retrieval of memory information for learning and memory and how these mechanisms are dysregulated in brain diseases. By establishing live imaging and photostimulation techniques of target molecules in the brain with multidisciplinary approaches, we aim to:

1. Elucidate the spatiotemporal role of intracellular cyclic AMP and GMP pathways in hippocampus-dependent memory functions

2. Uncover the circuit mechanisms that underlie the coordination of neural network activity for memory formation

3. Determine the therapeutic effect of chronic manipulation of target molecules in the synaptic functions and memory deficits for brain diseases.

Cross-affiliations

• Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute