Understanding memory fundamentally relies on the study of behaviour, the readout of learned information encoded in the brain. Investigating memory, therefore, requires an integrative approach that links behaviour to neural substrates. Classical methods of measuring and manipulating brain activity such as in vivo electrophysiology and pharmacological interventions have been very useful, but lack precision. Today, state-of-the-art techniques allow us to directly observe and specifically manipulate brain activity that is associated with behaviour, particularly in rodents. The use of optogenetics and chemogenetics have revolutionised the investigation of memory, in particular when coupled with activity-dependant tagging methods (e.g. engram cell labelling). Calcium imaging and especially miniaturised microscopes allowed visualisation and quantification of neuronal activity in freely behaving animals. This review will examine the contribution of these and other contemporary methodologies to conceptual progress in the neuroscience of memory.

理解记忆从根本上取决于对行为的研究，即对大脑中编码的学习信息的读取。因此，研究记忆需要一种将行为与神经基质联系起来的综合方法。测量和操纵大脑活动的经典方法，例如体内电生理学和药理学干预非常有用，但缺乏准确性。如今，最先进的技术使我们能够直接观察并特别操纵与行为相关的大脑活动，尤其是在啮齿动物中。光遗传学和化学遗传学的使用彻底改变了记忆的研究方法，特别是在与依赖于活性的标记方法（例如，细胞标记）结合使用时。钙成像，尤其是微型显微镜，可以对行为自由的动物进行神经元活动的可视化和量化。这篇综述将探讨这些以及其他当代方法学对记忆神经科学概念发展的贡献。