Staff
Dr. Ingrid Ehrlich
Organization: Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research
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Address: |
Otfried-Müller-Str. 25 |
Phone number: +49 (0)7071 2989189
Department: HIH / CIN Physiology of Learning and Memory
Position: Head of Research Group
Area: CIN Members
Scientific topic: Physiology of Learning and Memory
Field of Research
We investigate the cellular and synaptic basis of learning and memory processes. We focus on classical (Pavlovian) fear conditioning and its extinction in mice, which are powerful models for associative learning and memory. The key brain structure implicated in acquisition and storage of fear memory is the amygdala. Some of the strongest links between synaptic and cellular plasticity and behavioural learning come from studies of sensory inputs to the amygdala. Our aim is to study other elements of the amygdaloid network, including inhibitory elements, and their interactions with other amygdala input and output structures. Understanding fear and extinction memory is not only an excellent model for general principles of memory formation in the brain, but will also provide leads on nervous system dysfunction during inappropriate control of fear behavior in conditions such as human anxiety disorders.
Methods
Patch-clamp recordings, two-photon microscopy, molecular biology, histology, viral gene transfer in vivo, behavioral analysis
Keywords
Synaptic Plasticity; learning & memory; molecular & cellular neurobiology; neuro-physiology; neuro-plasticity
Publications
- Tang W, Ehrlich I, Wolff SBE, Michalski A-M, Wölfl S, Hasan M, Lüthi A, Sprengel R (2009). Faithful expression of multiple proteins via 2A-peptide self-processing: a versatile and reliable method for manipulating brain cicuits. J Neurosci. 29(27):8621-9.
- Ehrlich I, Humeau Y, Grenier F, Ciocchi S, Herry C, Lüthi A (2009). Amygdala inhibitory circuits and the control of fear memory. Neuron. 62(6):757-71.
- Ehrlich I, Klein M, Rumpel S, Malinow R (2007). PSD-95 is required for activity-driven synapse stabilization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 104(10):4176-81.