A biophysical model for valence-based navigational learning: the role of D-Serine

Squadrani, Lorenzo (2022) A biophysical model for valence-based navigational learning: the role of D-Serine. [Laurea magistrale], Università di Bologna, Corso di Studio in Physics [LM-DM270], Documento full-text non disponibile
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Abstract

Recent experiments have revealed the fundamental importance of neuromodulatory action on activity-dependent synaptic plasticity underlying behavioral learning and spatial memory formation. Neuromodulators affect synaptic plasticity through the modification of the dynamics of receptors on the synaptic membrane. However, chemical substances other than neuromodulators, such as receptors co-agonists, can influence the receptors' dynamics and thus participate in determining plasticity. Here we focus on D-serine, which has been observed to affect the activity thresholds of synaptic plasticity by co-activating NMDA receptors. We use a computational model for spatial value learning with plasticity between two place cell layers. The D-serine release is CB1R mediated and the model reproduces the impairment of spatial memory due to the astrocytic CB1R knockout for a mouse navigating in the Morris water maze. The addition of path-constraining obstacles shows how performance impairment depends on the environment's topology. The model can explain the experimental evidence and produce useful testable predictions to increase our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying learning.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di laurea (Laurea magistrale)
Autore della tesi
Squadrani, Lorenzo
Relatore della tesi
Correlatore della tesi
Scuola
Corso di studio
Indirizzo
Applied Physics
Ordinamento Cds
DM270
Parole chiave
biophysics,computational model,neuroscience,neuromodulators,valence-based learning,spatial memory,place cells,hippocampus,Morris Water Maze,D-serine
Data di discussione della Tesi
23 Settembre 2022
URI

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