Project description
Delineating the impact of brain electrical stimulation
Brain function depends on neuronal activity which is mediated via electrical impulses. As such, brain stimulation has been used to treat mood disorders and stress. Nonetheless, the design of stimulation protocols necessitates a better understanding of the impact of electrical stimulation and the effect it has on other interacting brain regions. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the ELECTRONEUROSTIM project aims to investigate how electrical stimulation affects the activity of neuronal populations in vivo. Researchers will employ animal models to associate neuronal activity and behaviour during electrical stimulation. The generated insight will serve as the stepping stone for the design of electrical stimulation protocols.
Objective
Techniques to deliver electricity to the human brain have been applied in an attempt to restore brain functions or modify behavior. Yet, many fundamental questions remain. First, it is unclear how to design stimulation protocols that lead to reliable stimulation outcomes. Second, it is challenging to define a stimulation protocol that could modify behavior without a clear understanding of the dynamic interplay between brain regions during complex behaviors. Finally, one of the goals of stimulation is to induce effects that outlast the stimulation period but whether and how lasting effects are induced is still unclear. As a first step to tackle some of these issues, the proposed project aims at understanding how electrical stimulation affects the activity of neuronal population in-vivo and whether behavioral states modulate such effects. Here I plan to use mice to bridge neuronal and behavioral levels combining highly controlled behavioral paradigms with recordings of neuronal activity at high spatial resolution during electrical stimulation applied using cutting-edge technologies. I will also implement computational models to understand the mechanisms of action of electricity on neuronal activity and to guide further experiments. Insights from this work will shed light on the realm of possible effects of electrical stimulation, and on how brain activity could be shaped to achieve specific behavioral outcomes. Ultimately, this knowledge may lead to the rational design of stimulation protocols that could be applied in humans, ideally non-invasively, to restore brain functions.
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
13284 Marseille
France
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.