Sector for Neuroplasticity and Learning Dynamics

Overview

As it is often said, "We are the sum of our memories. " Our sense of being the same person today as we were yesterday - our personal identity - relies on the proper functioning of memory. Memory and learning are also fundamental capacities shared by many organisms, allowing them to adapt to changing environments. When these functions are impaired, it becomes difficult to recall past experiences or to acquire new knowledge.

In this sector, we aim to elucidate the neural mechanisms that support the remarkable memory and learning abilities of humans, focusing especially on the processes by which knowledge and concepts are acquired as part of higher cognitive functions. To achieve this, we study non-human primates, which share highly similar brain structures and advanced cognitive abilities with humans. Our research combines multiple advanced methodologies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to visualize whole-brain network activity, chronically implanted recording electrodes to track memory formation processes within neuronal networks, and chemogenetic techniques that allow for selective manipulation of specific neuronal populations.

By clarifying how new abilities and knowledge are acquired through learning, and how complex concepts are represented in neural circuits, we aim to address longstanding questions traditionally explored in psychology and philosophy - such as how personal identity is maintained in social contexts, and how memory shapes subjective experiences - using modern scientific approaches. Through this work, we hope to contribute to the development of advanced artificial intelligence and human-AI symbiosis, as well as to new treatments, diagnostic methods, and interventions to improve memory function in aging populations.

We welcome inquiries from those interested in joining our sector and contributing to our work. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

Sector Head

Kenji Koyano, Ph.D.

koyano.kenji@qst.go.jp

https://researchmap.jp/KenjiKoyano?lang=en

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2160-1732

2025-Present: Senior Researcher, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Japan

2014-2025: Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), USA

2008-2014: Postdoctoral Fellow / Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

2004-2008: Ph.D. Program, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

Members

・　Yuki Hori, Ph.D. (Researcher, Neural Systems and Circuits Group)

Selected publications

1. Koyano KW*, Taubert J, Robison W, Waidmann EN, Leopold DA*. (2025) Face pareidolia minimally engages macaque face selective neurons. Progress in Neurobiology. 245, 102709. *Corresponding author.
2. Koyano KW*, Esch EM, Hong JJ, Waidmann EN, Wu H, Leopold DA*. (2023) Progressive neuronal plasticity in primate visual cortex during stimulus familiarization. Science Advances 9(12), eade4648. *Corresponding author.
3. Russ BE, Koyano KW, Day-Cooney J, Perwez N, Leopold DA. (2023) Temporal continuity shapes visual responses of macaque face patch neurons. Neuron. 111(6), 903-914.
4. Waidmann EN*, Koyano KW*†, Hong JJ, Russ BE, Leopold DA†. (2022) Local features drive identity responses in macaque anterior face patches. Nature Communications.13, 5592. *Contributed equally to this work. †Corresponding author.
5. Zaldivar D, Koyano KW, Ye FQ, Godlove DC, Park SH, Russ BE, Bhik-Ghanie R, Leopold DA. (2022) Brain-wide functional coupling of face patch neurons during rest. Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences. 119(36), e2206559119.
6. Park SH, Koyano KW, Russ BE, Waidmann EN, McMahon DBT, Leopold DA. (2022) Parallel functional subnetworks embedded in the macaque face patch system. Science Advances 8(10), eabm2054.
7. Koyano KW*†, Jones AP*, McMahon DBT, Waidmann EN, Russ BE, Leopold DA†. (2021) Dynamic Suppression of Average Facial Structure Shapes Neural Tuning in Three Macaque Face Patches. Current Biology 31, pp. 1-12. *Contributed equally to this work. †Corresponding author.
8. Koyano KW, Takeda M, Matsui T, Hirabayashi T, Ohashi Y, Miyashita Y. (2016) Laminar module cascade from layer 5 to 6 implementing cue-to-target conversion for object memory retrieval in the primate temporal cortex. Neuron 92(2) pp. 518-529.