Systems Neuroscience

Jozsef Csicsvari works in the field of systems neuroscience. His research aims to understand how memory traces are encoded, processed and ultimately stored in neuronal circuits during learning. In addition, he studies oscillatory activity in the brain, in particular the physiological mechanisms behind these oscillations and their role in behaviour. His research focuses on the hippocampus, a brain area known to be important for memory; and it also explores how the hippocampus interacts with other cortical regions. To achieve these research goals, he uses a technique called ‘multi-channel extracellular recording’ which monitors the electrical activity of many neurons in different brain circuits in behaving rodents. This work involves the use of sophisticated microelectrode arrays (e.g. silicon microelectrodes) during complex behavioural tasks. The large volume of complex electrophysiological data collected in these experiments requires sophisticated computer analysis techniques as well as the development of new computational analysis techniques.

The primary aim of Jozsef Csicsvari’s research is to understand how circuits in the hippocampal formation process mnemonic information. In particular, he examines how memory traces are encoded, consolidated and recalled in these circuits.  In addition, he investigates the behavioural role of oscillatory activity in the hippocampal formation and elucidates the physiological mechanisms behind these oscillations. He uses multi-channel extracellular recording techniques in freely moving rodents to monitor the simultaneous activity of many neurons from different subcircuits of the hippocampal formation. Multi-site silicon microelectrodes and independently movable multi-site microelectrode arrays (e.g. tetrodes) are used to record neuronal activity during learning tasks and during sleep.

Ongoing research projects investigate oscillatory network interactions between the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex.  In addition, they examine how hippocampo-entorhinal circuits encode and exchange mnemonic information during encoding, consolidation and recall stages of a place learning task. Finally they characterise neuronal coding and oscillatory interactions that are associated with spatial working memory.

Contact
Jozsef Csicsvari
Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria)
Am Campus 1
A – 3400 Klosterneuburg

Phone: +43 (0)2243 9000-4301
E-mail: jozsef.csicsvari@remove-this.ist.ac.at

CV & Publication list

Jozsef Csicsvari's website

Assistant
Nicole Hotzy

Phone: +43 (0)2243 9000-1032
E-mail: nicole.hotzy@remove-this.ist.ac.at

Team

  • Alice Alvernhe, Postdoc
  • Karel Blahna, Postdoc
  • Joseph O'Neill, Postdoc
  • Philipp Schönenberger, Postdoc
  • Michael Lobianco, Technical assistant
  • Haibing Xu, PhD student

Selected Publications

  • Dupret D, O’Neill J, Pleydell-Bouverie B, Csicsvari J  (2010) The reorganization and reactivation of hippocampal maps predict spatial memory performance. Nature Neurosci., 13: 995-1002.
  • O’Neill, J, Pleydell-Bouverie B, Dupret D, Csicsvari J, (2010) Play it again: reactivation of waking experience and memory. TINS, 33 220-229.
  • Huxter JR, Senior TJ, Allen K, Csicsvari J (2008). Theta phase-specific codes for two-dimensional position, trajectory and heading in the hippocampus. Nature Neurosci. 11:587-594.
  • Senior TJ,  Huxter JR, O’Neill J, Allen K, Csicsvari J (2008) Gamma Oscillatory Firing Reveals Distinct Populations of Pyramidal Cells in the CA1 Region of the Hippocampus. J Neurosci, 28:2274-86 .
  • O’Neill J, Senior TJ, Allen K, Huxter JR, Csicsvari J (2008) Reactivation of experience-dependent cell assembly patterns in the hippocampus. Nature Neurosci. 11:209-215.
  • O’Neill J, Senior TJ, Csicsvari J (2006) Place-selective firing of CA1 pyramidal cells during sharp wave/ripple network patterns in exploratory behaviour. Neuron 49:143-55.
  • Csicsvari J, Jamieson B, Wise K, Buzsaki G (2003) Mechanisms of gamma oscillations in the hippocampus in vivo. Neuron 37:311-322.
  • Csicsvari J, Hirase H, Mamiya A, Buzsaki G (2000) Ensemble patterns of hippocampal CA3-CA1 neurons during sharp wave associated population events. Neuron 28:585-594.
  • Csicsvari J, Hirase H, Czurko A, Mamiya A, Buzsaki G (1999) Oscilatory coupling of hippocampal pyramidal cells and interneurons in the behaving rat. J Neurosci 19:274-287.
  • Csicsvari J, Hirase H , Czurko A , Buzsaki G (1998) Reliability and state-dependence of pyramidal cell-interneuron synapses in the hippocampus: an ensemble approach in the behaving rat. Neuron  21: 179-189.

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