Kari Hoffman
@karihoffman.bsky.social
neuroscientist @vanderbilt studying neural circuit+population rules for creating and deploying knowledge. computational neuroethology.
Pinned
Kari Hoffman
@karihoffman.bsky.social
· Apr 15
Experience reorganizes content-specific memory traces in macaques
Memory formation requires neural activity reorganization during experience that persists in sleep. How these processes promote learning while preserving established memories remains unclear. We record...
www.biorxiv.org
How does the brain integrate information from new experiences while preserving established memories? Have a look at our latest preprint,
"Experience reorganizes content-specific memory traces in macaques" 🧵
🧪🧠🤖👩🔬
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
"Experience reorganizes content-specific memory traces in macaques" 🧵
🧪🧠🤖👩🔬
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
And I’m a big fan of Turing, von Neumann, Shannon, Metcalfe, Hinton, Sejnowski, and all the other algorithmic and computation people. No shade.
But data limits still limit understanding of the brain. That’s why the #NIH US BRAIN Init was so important: public investment made new tools.
But data limits still limit understanding of the brain. That’s why the #NIH US BRAIN Init was so important: public investment made new tools.
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
And I’m a big fan of Turing, von Neumann, Shannon, Metcalfe, Hinton, Sejnowski, and all the other algorithmic and computation people. No shade.
But data limits still limit understanding of the brain. That’s why the #NIH US BRAIN Init was so important: public investment made new tools.
But data limits still limit understanding of the brain. That’s why the #NIH US BRAIN Init was so important: public investment made new tools.
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Landed at #SfN and we have lots of fun new results to share. See below for Yassalab poster presentations. If you want to talk #Alzheimers or #mentalhealth come chat with us.
#SfN25 #neurosky #neuroskyence #academicchatter
#SfN25 #neurosky #neuroskyence #academicchatter
November 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Landed at #SfN and we have lots of fun new results to share. See below for Yassalab poster presentations. If you want to talk #Alzheimers or #mentalhealth come chat with us.
#SfN25 #neurosky #neuroskyence #academicchatter
#SfN25 #neurosky #neuroskyence #academicchatter
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Hearing a rumor that NIH/HHS may now plan to retaliate against other Bethesda Declaration signers.
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
November 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Hearing a rumor that NIH/HHS may now plan to retaliate against other Bethesda Declaration signers.
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
@markhisted.org , you have been and are incredibly brave and admirable.
I hope the rumors are false.
and: keep up the amazing work!
I hope the rumors are false.
and: keep up the amazing work!
Hearing a rumor that NIH/HHS may now plan to retaliate against other Bethesda Declaration signers.
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
I am one, but it’s not about me: we have been speaking out because of the ongoing damage to US medical research, cancer and Alzheimer’s research.
As @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social put well: 1/
November 15, 2025 at 12:40 AM
@markhisted.org , you have been and are incredibly brave and admirable.
I hope the rumors are false.
and: keep up the amazing work!
I hope the rumors are false.
and: keep up the amazing work!
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:55 PM
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
The Society for Neuroscience meeting starts tomorrow! I prepared some microscopy images for display at the convention center in San Diego. Let me know if you see one of my images around! 🤓 🔬 🧠
@sfn.org #SfN25 #FluorescenceFriday
@sfn.org #SfN25 #FluorescenceFriday
November 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The Society for Neuroscience meeting starts tomorrow! I prepared some microscopy images for display at the convention center in San Diego. Let me know if you see one of my images around! 🤓 🔬 🧠
@sfn.org #SfN25 #FluorescenceFriday
@sfn.org #SfN25 #FluorescenceFriday
He’s not kidding- I predict he’ll be putting the “special” in Presidential Special Lecture. Bring popcorn.🍿
Coming to the Society for Neuroscience meeting? Come to my lecture and say hi. I'm going to be talking about some crazy stuff. #neuroscience #SFN2025
November 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
He’s not kidding- I predict he’ll be putting the “special” in Presidential Special Lecture. Bring popcorn.🍿
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Please also follow @safa-science.bsky.social for more updates
November 13, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Please also follow @safa-science.bsky.social for more updates
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
The Preston Lab will be at @sfn.org #SfN2025! Come see what we've been working on 🧠
We'll discuss how kids & adults remember when things happen, how memory changes impact reasoning & how we learn different actions have different consequences based on the setting.
Find us Monday & Wednesday 🤘
We'll discuss how kids & adults remember when things happen, how memory changes impact reasoning & how we learn different actions have different consequences based on the setting.
Find us Monday & Wednesday 🤘
November 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Miller Lab at #SFN2025. Come by and say hi ya. #Neuroscience
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Miller Lab at #SFN2025. Come by and say hi ya. #Neuroscience
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
“Of all the words spoken in opposition to, or aghast at what’s happening in the United States, only one set of remarks has rattled in my head day after day, for going on a month now.”
Compelling and insightful article today from @brianbeutler.bsky.social
1/
Compelling and insightful article today from @brianbeutler.bsky.social
1/
The Defiant Resistance Speech An American Should Have Given
There's power waiting to be claimed by an ambitious political figure who makes this his or her cause.
www.offmessage.net
November 1, 2025 at 12:23 AM
“Of all the words spoken in opposition to, or aghast at what’s happening in the United States, only one set of remarks has rattled in my head day after day, for going on a month now.”
Compelling and insightful article today from @brianbeutler.bsky.social
1/
Compelling and insightful article today from @brianbeutler.bsky.social
1/
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Our preprint about Neuroinflammation in #LongCovid is online! This group met during the community-driven event #UnitedtoFight last year. This publication in #NeuroCovid is just another example of how science works better when we listen to the community and work together with them! (1/3)
June 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Our preprint about Neuroinflammation in #LongCovid is online! This group met during the community-driven event #UnitedtoFight last year. This publication in #NeuroCovid is just another example of how science works better when we listen to the community and work together with them! (1/3)
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
i love it!
I am once again pitching my romantic comedy:
- two academics start dating
- discover they are each other's terrible reviewer
- hijinks ensue
Working title: Love is Double-Blind
- two academics start dating
- discover they are each other's terrible reviewer
- hijinks ensue
Working title: Love is Double-Blind
June 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
i love it!
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
Since this is going around again, figured I'd add the more hopeful addendum that encourages scientists to keep doing their important research and to speak out about the current attacks on US science.
rdcu.be/emD0Z
rdcu.be/emD0Z
When the government cancels your research grant, here’s what you can do | Nature
The mass cancellation of US federal grants marks yet another escalation in political interference in science, but there are ways to keep crucial research going. The mass cancellation of US federal grants marks yet another escalation in political interference in science, but there are ways to keep crucial research going.
rdcu.be
June 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Since this is going around again, figured I'd add the more hopeful addendum that encourages scientists to keep doing their important research and to speak out about the current attacks on US science.
rdcu.be/emD0Z
rdcu.be/emD0Z
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
🚨New in @cellpress.bsky.social
We discovered that hippocampal replays in natural-scale environments are highly fragmented, not full-length.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
👇🧵
We discovered that hippocampal replays in natural-scale environments are highly fragmented, not full-length.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
👇🧵
June 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
🚨New in @cellpress.bsky.social
We discovered that hippocampal replays in natural-scale environments are highly fragmented, not full-length.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
👇🧵
We discovered that hippocampal replays in natural-scale environments are highly fragmented, not full-length.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
👇🧵
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
I just signed the Bethesda Declaration and urge you to do the same today, so that we all stand with NIH researchers as Battacharya appears before the Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow.
(5/5)
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I just signed the Bethesda Declaration and urge you to do the same today, so that we all stand with NIH researchers as Battacharya appears before the Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow.
Signed. Read and spread:
(5/5)
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Signed. Read and spread:
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
New Op-Ed in the Guardian regarding the new "Gold Standard Science" Executive Order.
From @cdelawalla.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @briannosek.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social, Carol Greider, and Victor Ambros.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
From @cdelawalla.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @briannosek.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social, Carol Greider, and Victor Ambros.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s new ‘gold standard’ rule will destroy American science as we know it | Colette Delawalla
The new executive order allows political appointees to undermine research they oppose, paving the way to state-controlled science
www.theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
New Op-Ed in the Guardian regarding the new "Gold Standard Science" Executive Order.
From @cdelawalla.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @briannosek.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social, Carol Greider, and Victor Ambros.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
From @cdelawalla.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @briannosek.bsky.social @michaelemann.bsky.social, Carol Greider, and Victor Ambros.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
📌New bio constrained ANN learning rule: ➡️dendritic target propagation⬅️ considers cell diversity, compartmentalization, FF FB inputs, more. 🧠📈🤖🧪
Cellular and subcellular specialization enables biology-constrained deep learning www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Cellular and subcellular specialization enables biology-constrained deep learning
Learning and memory in the brain depend on changes in the strengths of synaptic connections between neurons. While the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity have been extensively st...
www.biorxiv.org
May 29, 2025 at 11:04 AM
📌New bio constrained ANN learning rule: ➡️dendritic target propagation⬅️ considers cell diversity, compartmentalization, FF FB inputs, more. 🧠📈🤖🧪
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
7/7) As a final thought for funding, particularly for younger scientists, I am a strong advocate for the NSERC Discover Grant model:
- Smaller grants, with high success rate (~50%)
- Only one grant per lab
- Young researchers do not have to hit the same bar as established researchers to be funded
- Smaller grants, with high success rate (~50%)
- Only one grant per lab
- Young researchers do not have to hit the same bar as established researchers to be funded
May 26, 2025 at 9:05 PM
7/7) As a final thought for funding, particularly for younger scientists, I am a strong advocate for the NSERC Discover Grant model:
- Smaller grants, with high success rate (~50%)
- Only one grant per lab
- Young researchers do not have to hit the same bar as established researchers to be funded
- Smaller grants, with high success rate (~50%)
- Only one grant per lab
- Young researchers do not have to hit the same bar as established researchers to be funded
👀Interesting take from @stephanie-theves.bsky.social linking general intelligence and abstraction. One to watch. 🧪🧠📈🧠🤖🧠👩🔬 _ ?(emoji analogies seemed fitting)
#JNeurosci: €ª@stephanie-theves.bsky.social proposes a novel approach to understanding human intelligence, emphasizing neural structure mapping—the brain’s process of abstracting and reasoning based on relational knowledge.
vist.ly/3n58cgk
May 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
👀Interesting take from @stephanie-theves.bsky.social linking general intelligence and abstraction. One to watch. 🧪🧠📈🧠🤖🧠👩🔬 _ ?(emoji analogies seemed fitting)
Reposted by Kari Hoffman
🚨New paper alert! 🚨 Inactivation of the nucleus reuniens causes relapse of extinguished fear. Here we show this “circuit-induced relapse” depends on hippocampal fear memories and is mediated by hippocampal engrams. Congrats to the team!
Hippocampal ensembles regulate circuit-induced relapse of extinguished fear
Molecular Psychiatry - Hippocampal ensembles regulate circuit-induced relapse of extinguished fear
urldefense.com
May 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
🚨New paper alert! 🚨 Inactivation of the nucleus reuniens causes relapse of extinguished fear. Here we show this “circuit-induced relapse” depends on hippocampal fear memories and is mediated by hippocampal engrams. Congrats to the team!