Summary
One of the fundamental challenges in neuroscience research is to understand how diverse sensory inputs leading to the specific behavioral outcome and what are the networks underlie eliciting such behaviors. This question may only be answered when measurements of structural and functional properties of individual neurons are integrated into a coherent framework, which would then allow numerically simulate (in silico) different networks to predict possible behavioral outcomes. The ‘building block’ for a network model relies on anatomical and physiological data such as neuron input, neuron output, and physiological properties collected from animal experiments. The input can be determined by reconstructing dendrites, functional properties of the neuron can be estimated by obtaining electrophysiological measurements, and output can be determined by reconstructing by their 3D axon branching pattern. Current proposed project work will address some of the building blocks such as projection targets of single neurons upon a specific behavioral expression and their presynaptic partners that are responsible for eliciting such behaviors. Specifically, I will investigate the electrophysiological properties and anatomical connectivity of L6 neurons (L6b) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using state-of-the-art techniques and tools such as modified rabies virus labeling and neuron tracing, DREADD technology and optogenetics in a transgenic mouse line that selectively expresses Cre-recombinase in a subpopulation of layer 6b neurons. Exploring mPFC neural circuits may not only provide more in-depth insight on to its involvement in cognitive behaviors but also in a variety of psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). The outcome of this study will establish the functional role of L6b of the mouse medial prefrontal cortex to its specific involvement in eliciting specific behavioral outcomes.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/890457 |
| Start date: | 02-11-2020 |
| End date: | 01-11-2022 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 224 933,76 Euro - 224 933,00 Euro |
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Original description
One of the fundamental challenges in neuroscience research is to understand how diverse sensory inputs leading to the specific behavioral outcome and what are the networks underlie eliciting such behaviors. This question may only be answered when measurements of structural and functional properties of individual neurons are integrated into a coherent framework, which would then allow numerically simulate (in silico) different networks to predict possible behavioral outcomes. The ‘building block’ for a network model relies on anatomical and physiological data such as neuron input, neuron output, and physiological properties collected from animal experiments. The input can be determined by reconstructing dendrites, functional properties of the neuron can be estimated by obtaining electrophysiological measurements, and output can be determined by reconstructing by their 3D axon branching pattern. Current proposed project work will address some of the building blocks such as projection targets of single neurons upon a specific behavioral expression and their presynaptic partners that are responsible for eliciting such behaviors. Specifically, I will investigate the electrophysiological properties and anatomical connectivity of L6 neurons (L6b) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using state-of-the-art techniques and tools such as modified rabies virus labeling and neuron tracing, DREADD technology and optogenetics in a transgenic mouse line that selectively expresses Cre-recombinase in a subpopulation of layer 6b neurons. Exploring mPFC neural circuits may not only provide more in-depth insight on to its involvement in cognitive behaviors but also in a variety of psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). The outcome of this study will establish the functional role of L6b of the mouse medial prefrontal cortex to its specific involvement in eliciting specific behavioral outcomes.Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2019Update Date
28-04-2024
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