MSU develops brain imaging system to reveal how memories are made, recorded

trueCollege of Natural Science,Neuroscience07/10/2023MSU develops brain imaging system to reveal how memories are made, recorded

Every day the brain makes and recalls new memories, but current brain imaging technology limits how much information can be gathered about this activity. Researchers at Michigan State University have built a state-of-the-art imaging system that will capture brain activity with a level of detail not possible before. Researcher Mark Reimers and his team will use a three-year $750,000 Air Force Office of Scientific Research grant to combine the imaging system with newly developed advanced image processing software. The goal is to eventually allow them to identify the specific neurons used by animals to record and recall memories.

Researchers at MSU have built a state-of-the-art imaging system that will capture brain activity with a level of detail that has never before been possible.
The innovative imaging system uses a specially designed lens attached to a microscope to take dozens of pictures every second of the neurons firing in the outer layers of the brain’s cortex.
By combining the imaging system with advanced image processing software, the team wants to be able to identify the specific neurons used by animals to record and recall memories.

Emilie Lorditch

An image of neurons firing during brain activity. The bright white spots show which neurons are firing while the brain is making a memory. Credit: Tony Kim

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