Objective
Sleep is universal in mammals, yet the origin, structure and purpose of the neural activity patterns which permeate this state remains highly contentious. This is largely because such activity is internally generated and thus not amenable to most traditional methods of analysis. Here I propose top-down circuits in cortical layer 1 as a key site of production and structuring of neural activity during sleep, and detail novel experimental and analysis approaches to probe layer 1 circuits across sleep states at synaptic resolution.
Layer 1 of the sensory cortex receives long distance signals from higher cortical regions which during wakefulness powerfully modulate sensory processing, and underpin neurocognitive processes such as attention, prediction, and sensorimotor integration. Such top-down circuits are well placed to autonomously generate activity during sleep which is meaningfully structured in the absence of sensory input. I propose that such top-down activations, unconstrained by the sensory environment, but structured by a lifetime of synaptically encoded experience stored in cortical connectivity patterns, could promote the formation of meaningful associations and insights inaccessible and cognitively disruptive if produced in waking states.
I propose to test this mechanism and purpose of sleep activations using in vivo multiphoton imaging in mice: high resolution synaptic imaging will allow measurement of the origin and regulation (Aim 1), content, structure (Aim 2), and development (Aim 3) of top-down signals to layer 1 during different conscious states and will answer fundamental questions regarding the interplay between sleeping and waking activity patterns and their brain-wide propagation. We anticipate the work will lead to a fundamental advance in our understanding of micro and macro architecture of neural activations during sleep and in doing so resolve long running questions as to the mnemonic, creative, and maintenance functions of such activity.
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.
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2022-COG
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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.
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
Spain
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.