Objective
Memory formation is one of the most sophisticated and fascinating functions of the nervous system. Our brains remain plastic throughout life and enable us to store and access an amount of information that no computer could cope with. While the physiological mechanisms underlying learning have been studied extensively using in vitro preparations, much less is known about how memories are stored at the level of local neuronal circuits in the intact animal. This is an essential question since the dynamic interaction of neurons in their networks is absolutely critical to any form of higher brain function. This proposal outlines a strategy to elucidate how memory formation and extinction alters the activation patterns of local, identified neuronal networks. We will apply a novel and multi-disciplinary approach which combines the recently devised technique of in vivo two-photon calcium imaging using GRIN lenses with established molecular (transgenic mouse lines) and behavioural (fear conditioning) approaches. This will enable us to optically record the activity of many neurons simultaneously and to discern the two major neuronal populations, principal neurons and interneurons, which have opposing roles in the brain. This strategy will be used to study how fear memories manifest themselves in the mouse amygdala. In addition, we will characterise the mechanisms of fear generalisation and extinction. These phenomena are implicated in several human anxiety disorders which afflict an estimated 13% of the population in the EU. Our results will help to better understand the underlying causes of these conditions and potentially reveal novel strategies for pharmaceutical intervention. In addition, this research will define novel concepts on memory storage at the network level, which will be of great interest to the scientific community as well as society at large.
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 biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry anxiety disorders
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-2007-4-3-IRG
See other projects for this call
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
4058 BASEL
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.