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Dissection of a cortical microcircuit for the processing of pain affect

Objective

It is a fundamental but still elusive question how nociceptive processing is performed in neuronal networks in the cortex for the conscious experience of pain.

The objective of this project is to identify and characterize the cortical microcircuits in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) that are involved in pain processing with cellular resolution. The ACC is essential for evaluating the emotional/affective component of pain. Our research will investigate the elusive question if a dedicated pain circuit exists in the ACC. We will dissect the detailed structure and connectivity of this pain circuit and investigate how it generates affective behavioural responses related to pain.

At the core of this project, we will characterize the neuronal networks in the ACC that are engaged in the processing of noxious stimuli. It will be highly interesting to determine the neuronal dynamics in the ACC during nociception and in chronic pain conditions on the cellular and network level. Furthermore, we will elucidate the downstream targets that are influenced by the pain circuits in the ACC to generate the appropriate behavioural responses.

These aims will be achieved by a combination of electrophysiology, 2-photon Ca2+ imaging and pharmaco- and opto-genetic approaches both in vivo and in vitro and behavioural testing of pain affect in mice.

This project will give a comprehensive picture of how a cortical microcircuit processes afferent noxious stimuli to generate an affective behavioural response. This study will give important insight into the fundamental question of cortical information processing and it is highly relevant to understand pain processing and the changes in the network dynamics that manifest the transition to chronic pain. Eventually this might contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for this pathological condition.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

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

(opens in new window) ERC-2015-CoG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITAET BERN
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 928 125,00
Address
HOCHSCHULSTRASSE 6
3012 Bern
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Espace Mittelland Bern / Berne
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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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.

€ 1 928 125,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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