Summary
Executing actions that move the body across space to reach goals is a task that animals constantly perform. In some cases, the goal is within direct reach of sensory systems, but in others the goal location has to be retrieved from memory and requires moving towards to a memorised point in space. Previous work has identified neural circuits that represent space, and devised models for transforming object-centred spatial representations into body-centred coordinates, but we do not know the mechanisms by which actions are computed to reach memorised locations. Our goal is to uncover these mechanisms, by investigating instinctive escape to shelter in mice. Recent work has shown that escape to shelter is a goal-directed action that relies on memory of the shelter location, and which is controlled by a midbrain defensive circuit encompassing the superior colliculus and the periaqueductal gray. These circuit nodes can elicit the entire flight sequence to shelter, providing a unique entry point for investigating how spatial representations are converted into goal-directed actions. We aim to explain at the cellular and circuit level how the spatial vector to the shelter is encoded and transformed into shelter-directed flight actions.
Our experimental strategy is to use loss-of-function approaches to identify circuit nodes that project to the superior colliculus and are necessary for escaping to the correct location, and perform neural activity recordings with high-density silicon probes and calcium imaging to determine how the spatial vector to the shelter is encoded and transferred to midbrain effector circuits. At the single neuron level, we will use whole-cell recordings to investigate connectivity and the biophysics of synaptic integration in circuits controlling the execution of flight. The results from this project will produce mechanistic models of how neurons encode information about a goal in space, and compute appropriate motor actions to reach the goal.
Our experimental strategy is to use loss-of-function approaches to identify circuit nodes that project to the superior colliculus and are necessary for escaping to the correct location, and perform neural activity recordings with high-density silicon probes and calcium imaging to determine how the spatial vector to the shelter is encoded and transferred to midbrain effector circuits. At the single neuron level, we will use whole-cell recordings to investigate connectivity and the biophysics of synaptic integration in circuits controlling the execution of flight. The results from this project will produce mechanistic models of how neurons encode information about a goal in space, and compute appropriate motor actions to reach the goal.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/864912 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2020 |
| End date: | 31-08-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 1 991 004,00 Euro - 1 991 004,00 Euro |
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Original description
Executing actions that move the body across space to reach goals is a task that animals constantly perform. In some cases, the goal is within direct reach of sensory systems, but in others the goal location has to be retrieved from memory and requires moving towards to a memorised point in space. Previous work has identified neural circuits that represent space, and devised models for transforming object-centred spatial representations into body-centred coordinates, but we do not know the mechanisms by which actions are computed to reach memorised locations. Our goal is to uncover these mechanisms, by investigating instinctive escape to shelter in mice. Recent work has shown that escape to shelter is a goal-directed action that relies on memory of the shelter location, and which is controlled by a midbrain defensive circuit encompassing the superior colliculus and the periaqueductal gray. These circuit nodes can elicit the entire flight sequence to shelter, providing a unique entry point for investigating how spatial representations are converted into goal-directed actions. We aim to explain at the cellular and circuit level how the spatial vector to the shelter is encoded and transformed into shelter-directed flight actions.Our experimental strategy is to use loss-of-function approaches to identify circuit nodes that project to the superior colliculus and are necessary for escaping to the correct location, and perform neural activity recordings with high-density silicon probes and calcium imaging to determine how the spatial vector to the shelter is encoded and transferred to midbrain effector circuits. At the single neuron level, we will use whole-cell recordings to investigate connectivity and the biophysics of synaptic integration in circuits controlling the execution of flight. The results from this project will produce mechanistic models of how neurons encode information about a goal in space, and compute appropriate motor actions to reach the goal.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
ERC-2019-COGUpdate Date
27-04-2024
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