Objective
Coordination, execution and learning of skilled movements strongly depend on motor cortex function, which, in turn, depends on the modulatory action of different neurotransmitters. In particular, dopaminergic inputs to the motor cortex have been associated with synaptic plasticity, changes in cortical excitability and modulation of cortical motor maps. The integrity of dopaminergic terminals is required for the acquisition of novel motor tasks, but not for the performance of already learned ones. Despite evidence pointing to the importance of dopamine in the learning of novel motor skills, technical limitations have impeded solving several key questions. For instance, what are the exact behavioral conditions leading to dopamine release in the motor cortex during skill learning? Are dopamine fibers in the motor cortex synchronously activated affecting large cortical areas? Is dopamine necessary and/or sufficient for cortical motor learning? I will address these questions by combining my expertise in the field of dopamine signaling with the use of novel optical techniques recently developed by the European host institution and thereby dissect the role of dopamine with never-before-reached level of spatio-temporal accuracy. Specifically I aim to use in vivo two-photon imaging and optogenetic manipulations of genetically targeted dopamine axon terminals in the mouse motor cortex in combination with quantitative behavioral testing and characterize their role in the learning of novel motor skills. By recording and manipulating dopamine axon activity in the motor cortex I will test the hypothesis that dopamine acts as a necessary global signal of reward prediction error at the motor cortex level. This project will provide novel insights in the exact contribution of dopaminergic neurotransmission to motor learning and to cortical microcircuit plasticity and will further our knowledge on the basic neuronal mechanisms governing our behavior.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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.
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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF
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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.
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.
Coordinator
1211 Geneve
Switzerland
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.