Manns Memory Lab

Our research connects neuroscience with psychology to ask how the brain enables acquisition of memories in both humans and rats. One goal of the laboratory is to answer fundamental questions regarding the hippocampal memory system. Another goal is to ask how the amygdala prioritizes hippocampus-dependent memory processes. Finding basic mechanisms for enhancing memory will be a window into the biological machinery that supports our everyday memories and will point to therapeutic treatments for diseases and disorders that impair memory. 

Recent Publications

Basolateral Amygdala and Affective Salience


Song, Z., Swarna, S., & Manns, J. R. (2021). Prioritization of social information by the basolateral amygdala in rats. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 184, 107489.

Human EEG and Memory Integration


Varga, N. L., & Manns, J. R. (2021). Delta-modulated cortical alpha oscillations support new knowledge generation through memory integration. NeuroImage, 118600.

Optogenetic Stimulation to Enhance Memory in Rats

DiFazio, L. E., Reis, D. S., & Manns, J. R. (2021). Optogenetic stimulation of the basolateral amygdala accelerates acquisition of object-context associations. Behavioral Neuroscience, 135(3), 354.

Hippocampal Oscillations and Memory

Trimper, J. B., Galloway, C. R.,
Jones, A. C., Mandi, K., & Manns, J. R. (2017). Gamma oscillations
in rat hippocampal subregions dentate gyrus, CA3, CA1, and subiculum
underlie associative memory encoding. Cell Reports, 21(9), 2419-2432.

Amygdala Stimulation in Humans


Inman, C. S., Manns, J. R., Bijanki, K. R., Bass, D. I., Hamann, S., Drane, D. L., ... & Willie, J. T. (2018). Direct electrical stimulation of the amygdala enhances declarative memory in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(1), 98-103.

Optogenetic Stimulation of Amygdala in Rats


Ahlgrim, N. S., & Manns, J. R.
(2019). Optogenetic stimulation of the basolateral amygdala increased
theta-modulated gamma oscillations in the hippocampus. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13.