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Content archived on 2024-06-18

CELLULAR AND SYNAPTIC DISSECTION OF THE NEURONAL CIRCUITS OF SOCIAL AND AUTISTIC BEHAVIOR

Objective

"Synapses are the cellular specializations responsible for transducing information between neurons. Synaptic dysfunction is thought to underlie disorders such as schizophrenia, autism and mental retardation. Currently, a major challenge for modern neuroscience is to understand how synaptic computations give rise to behavioural and cognitive programs and identify how these same circuits are affected in neuropsychiatric disorders.
At present, a multitude of factors both genetic and environmental are recognized to impact on the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia. Nevertheless, and while these disorders diverge on several factors such as, typical age of onset, language skills and other clinical presentations; convergence is observed in several behavioral phenotypes and in genetic mutations common to both disorders. Indeed, a prominent feature in the symptomatology of both conditions is a dysfunction in social behaviors. However, the synaptic circuits and pathways that regulate the expression of affiliative social behaviors remain largely unknown.
To begin shedding light on these complex behaviors and neural circuits, we are dissecting the cellular and synaptic maps of ethologically relevant affiliative social behaviors using a multidisciplinary approach combining genetic and optogenetic tools. We are also modulating neuronal synaptic circuits in genetic and behavioral mouse models of autism and schizophrenia. Our strategy will unravel the primitive brain centers controlling social behavior in mammals and address how disruption in sociability may lead to common dysfunctions that may be transversal to several human disorders."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)

Coordinator

CENTRO DE NEUROCIENCIAS E BIOLOGIACELULAR ASSOCIACAO
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Address
UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA LARGO MARQUES DE POMBAL
3004 517 Coimbra
Portugal

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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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