Objective
We do not yet fully understand the cellular basis of brain energy metabolism. The high energy consumption of mammalian brain sets information processing under critical metabolic constraints. Energy efficiency in brain signaling is supported by functional and metabolic interactions between neuronal and astrocytic cells. Specifically, during neuronal activity astrocytes rapidly take up neuronally-released compounds from the extracellular space, including potassium (K+) and transmitter molecules. These operations affect brain excitability and their dysfunction can increase susceptibility to seizures and eventually lead to epilepsy. Importantly, ion homeostasis in astrocytes is fueled by astrocytic glycogen, the sole cerebral energy store. The primary aim of the present project is to investigate how metabolism of glycogen in astrocytes supports and influences the different stages of neuronal activity under normal and epileptogenic conditions. I hypothesize that K+-induced glycogenolysis in astrocytes controls neuronal excitability (functional role) as well as neuronal glucose uptake (metabolic role). These ideas are supported by the recently demonstrated requirement of astrocytic glycogenolysis for the uptake of extracellular K+ obtained in cell cultures and by preliminary results that I obtained through kinetic analysis. The present project will tackle, for the first time in awake behaving mice, the characterization of activity-dependent brain glycogen metabolism by means of electrophysiological and pharmacological experiments. The outcomes will provide essential insights into the mechanisms underlying normal ion homeostasis and its impairment in epilepsy as well as other pathologies related to aberrations in brain energy metabolism. The project will have a substantial impact on my career, as new skills in invasive experimental techniques on awake animals will complement my previous expertise in non-invasive functional magnetic resonance methods on human subjects.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.