Michael Eckert Email & Phone Number

My experiments utilize high density in vivo electrophysiology recordings and immediate early gene (IEG) activation to study neocortical processing dynamics under normal and abnormal conditions. In one experiment I am investigating memory trace replay during sleep after skill learning. As part of this experiment, I have developed software for real-time detection of sleep states that allows for closed-loop control of brain stimulation. In another experiment I am investigating how hippocampal lesions affect neocortical dynamics. This experiment uses both electrophysiology as well as IEG activation. As part of this experiment, I have developed methods for automated quantification of IEG signals, allowing for accurate and unbiased detection of activated cell populations.This work is being done with Bruce McNaughton and Masami Tatsuno.

During my time in Cliff Abraham's lab, I studied how experience shapes brain function.In one experiment I studied the effects of environmental enrichment on memory and hippocampal function. I used a combination of in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology as well as immediate early gene activation. In addition, I also programmed new data acquisition and analysis software in LabView.In a second experiment I studied how sensory stimulation alters synaptic function in the visual cortex using in vivo electrophysiology.