Objective The first behavioural theories conceived the organism as primarily driven by external sensory stimuli. However, the energy associated with momentary demands of the environment represent ~1% of the brain's total energy budget, implying that the intrinsic activity represents a major aspect of the brain's function. Indeed, more recent theories such as cognitivism and embodiment describe the organisms as capable of generating complex behaviours emerging from the brain's intrinsic dynamics. Past and current studies that investigated the neuronal basis self-generated behaviours mainly focus on the readiness potential (RP) signal, a build-up ramping activity in the premotor cortex, occurring ~ 2 sec before the movement's onset. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the generation of self-generated behaviours (how RPs are generated), the involvement of other regions, and how the brain codes the impending movements (activity predictive of the onset and type of movement), still remain poorly understood.The combination of light-sheet microscopy, optogenetics, and the zebrafish larva model enables monitoring whole-brain dynamics in an intact behaving vertebrate. Moreover, the diverse yet limited and well described repertoire of motor behaviours will enable to perform experiments in more natural unconstrained conditions, in comparison to previous studies, which were structured in trials and limited to one or two behavioural choices. These advantages will allow us to go beyond the current state-of-the-art in the field. More specifically, we propose to investigate the following specific aims:1) Whole-brain dynamics basis and mechanisms underlying self-generated behaviours.2) A comparison between the neuronal pathways underlying the initiation of self-generated and sensory induced behaviours.3) The internal and external modulation of self-generated behaviours. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy Keywords Neuronal circuit dynamics SPIM zebrafish optogenetics behaviour internal decisions computational neuroscience calcium imaging Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE Net EU contribution € 1 922 360,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 997 360,00 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE France Net EU contribution € 1 922 360,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 997 360,00 Third-party Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure. ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE France Net EU contribution € 75 000,00 Address 45, RUE D'ULM 75230 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 75 000,00