Project description DEENESFRITPL Neural circuits underlying sensory selection The appropriate selection and integration of a multitude of stimuli simultaneously arriving through our senses are crucial for survival. The importance of proper sensory selection is more evident in cognitive disorders like autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or schizophrenia, where patients cannot properly filter or process simultaneous channels of sensory inputs. However, our understanding of neural mechanisms of sensory selection remains extremely limited. The EU-funded ThaCSIS project will reveal neural circuits associated with selecting and processing the appropriate sensory signal in the relevant context. The project will use large-scale neural measurements of the dorsal neocortex in combination with rodent behaviour and circuit dissection tools to disclose context-dependent cortical dynamics and dissect underlying neural mechanisms. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective We perceive the world through a multitude of sensory stimuli simultaneously arriving through our five senses . The appropriate selection and integration of this information is crucial for survival. For instance if you are walking in a busy street while you are talking on your phone, not prioritizing the visual input of a car approaching over the voice on the phone may have fatal consequences. The importance of appropriate sensory selection becomes even more evident in cognitive disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or schizophrenia, where individuals are unable to properly filter or process simultaneous channels of sensory inputs. Despite its significance, our knowledge is very limited in understanding the neural mechanisms that allows us to select the relevant signals amongst myriads of simultaneous inputs.My overarching goal in this project is to reveal neural circuits that allow the selection and processing of the right sensory information in the right context. I will first uncover how the sensory signal flow in a cortex-wide neural network is shaped by different behavioral relevance. Next, I will test whether the higher order thalamic nuclei, LP and Pom, mediate these context-dependent modulations of cortical dynamics. This will be done by using large-scale neural measurements of the dorsal neocortex in combination with rodent behavior and circuit dissection tools to reveal context-dependent cortical dynamics and to dissect underlying neural mechanisms. Findings of this project will reveal differential routing of sensory information across cortical networks and identify key brain regions that are involved in gating of behaviorally relevant sensory information. Furthermore the results and the approach will provide the basis to study circuit dysfunction in complex cognitive disorders. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencemedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryschizophrenia Keywords context-dependent sensory processing large scale imaging vision somatosensation higher order thalamus cortical networks Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator VIB VZW Net EU contribution € 178 320,00 Address SUZANNE TASSIERSTRAAT 1 9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 178 320,00
