# How does the brain maximize storage capacity?

> **NIH NIH DP2** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $100,937

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The proposed research project will address two fundamental research questions about information processing
in the biological brain. We will begin addressing this question by focusing on how the hippocampus
accumulates different spatial maps (i.e. linear tracks) across a lifetime by a novel i imaging technique, the wire-
free miniature microscope (Miniscope), for long-term in vivo calcium imaging in untethered, freely behaving
animals. We will investigate the question of orthogonal vs. integrated coding of spatial maps and their impact
on memory capacity and efficiency in young adult mice. Does learning new (more) maps increase the
efficiency of neural encoding, such that there are fewer cells encoding redundant spatial information? Is a
decreasing number of cells required to encode each subsequent map to prevent the hippocampus from
reaching capacity? Can we calculate the memory capacity of a particular network or of the hippocampus
overall? Next, to explore the question of how these processes may change across a lifetime, we will investigate
whether or not the same rules for coding spatial maps apply in middle aged mice with varying number of
memories for different linear tracks previously accumulated. As we age, is there simply less “available space”
in our brains as many of the neuronal resources have been taken up by the previous memories accumulated
across a lifetime and, consequently, more competition for the neural resources required to encode new
information? Is generalization, at least in part, a consequence of a change in storage strategy, where details
are dropped in order to maximize efficiency. We will use state of the art modeling techniques as well as causal
biological manipulations to probe these questions. Answering these questions regarding how the brain
optimizes storage capacity for information will contribute to better understanding a broad spectrum of brain
disorders that have problems with relational memory, including Schizophrenia, Depression, Dementia,
Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, by understanding the rules the brain uses to optimize storage capacity and
perform efficiently, these rules and principles can be applied to developing neuroprosthetics that can treat
patients with brain damage, including stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136960
- **Project number:** 3DP2MH122399-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Denise Jade Cai
- **Activity code:** DP2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $100,937
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136960

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136960, How does the brain maximize storage capacity? (3DP2MH122399-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136960. Licensed CC0.

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