Role of intrinsic neural properties in memory formation and maintenance

While the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity underlying memory dynamics are well understood, the role of intrinsic neural properties has been largely unexplored, so far. Recent works studying memory dynamics over long timescales have unveiled mechanisms that synaptic models of memories have been unable to explain. First, neural ensembles representing individual memories of temporally close events tend to overlap in multiple brain regions. Moreover, memory representations are not static in time, and the neurons taking part of memory ensembles change over timescales of hours to days. Finally, the transcription of learning-related genes is altered in neurons taking part of memory ensembles, long after learning. Based on these recent findings, this thesis explores the role of intrinsic neural properties in memory dynamics, using a computational model. Overall, it provides predictions on the interplay between synaptic and intrinsic plasticity in memory formation and maintenance.