Project description
Studying bird and mammal brain similarities
Birds and mammals have evolved different forebrains. Birds have smaller brains made of seemingly homogenous nuclear clusters, whereas mammals have a cortex and can reach large brain weights. Surprisingly, despite these differences, recent research has shown that multiple birds match apes in cognitive abilities and traits. However, we still cannot explain this. The ERC-funded AVIAN MIND project will undertake a neurocognitive analysis of executive cognition, consciousness and memory in pigeons to test the hypothesis that birds’ pallial cognitive network is very similar to that of mammals in contrast to their different memory systems. The purpose of the study is to unveil links between cognition and neural structure.
Objective
Mammals and birds evolved vastly different forebrains. While mammals have a cortex and can reach large brain weights, bird brains are very small and are constituted by seemingly homogeneous nuclear clusters. These glaring anatomical differences cast a dim prospect on avian cognition. However, the last years showed that several avian taxa are cognitively on par with apes and show abilities like planning, theory-of-mind, and mirror-self-recognition. How is that possible?
Our inability to answer this question yet, shows that we still are far away from properly understanding the link between brain structure and cognitive functions in generic ways. To gain deeper insights into these issues, we should dare to study in depth non-standard model animals. I therefore propose to conduct a detailed neurocognitive analysis of executive cognition, memory, and consciousness in pigeons.
I hypothesise that despite major macroscopic differences, the pallial cognitive network of birds is highly similar to that of mammals while their memory systems differ. To test this hypothesis, I will combine behavioural analyses, fMRI, single unit recording, and optogenetics to characterize the neural mechanisms of cognition, consciousness, and memory in pigeons. I aim to:
1) reveal the pallial network for the three executive functions: inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory and will subsequently search for an avian equivalent of the default mode and executive network.
2) identify an avian pallial associative area for movement intentions.
3) examine if avian associative neurons code high dimensional event representations.
4) test if birds have evolved a non-spatial memory system that is independent of hippocampus.
5) and investigate if pigeons show signatures of consciousness akin to primates.
These studies will serve a deeper understanding of the link between neural structure and cognition a link that might be less bound to neuroanatomical specificities than hitherto assumed.
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.
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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.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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-ADG - Advanced Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-ADG
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44801 Bochum
Germany
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