Project description
Exploring the role of astrocytes in depression
Major depressive disorders (MDDs) are the most prevalent neuropsychiatric conditions, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The fact that a significant proportion of patients fail to respond to conventional antidepressants underscores the importance of novel interventions. The EU-funded D1-Glia project is based on accumulating evidence that suggests a link exists between neuroglia – the non-neuronal cells of the brain – and the emergence of neurological conditions. The key objective is to experimentally study neuroglia regulation by dopamine in order to decipher the underlying aetiology of MDDs. Results have also the potential to identify new targets for the treatment of MDD, offering hope to unresponsive inflicted sufferers.
Objective
Major depressive disorders (MDD) represent a global challenge. Although many recent initiatives have resulted in new antipsychotic drugs, their efficacy is not optimal. One possible reason for this is that the prevailing paradigm for drug development is based on the neuron-centric view of how the central nervous system (CNS) copes with diseases. In the fellowship, I will study neuroglia, the nonneuronal cells responsible mainly for maintaining homeostasis in the CNS. Failure in the function of these cells can set the course for neurological conditions, including psychiatric diseases and MDD. Thus, targeting neuroglia has recently been viewed as a new translational ground for drug development. The present proposal is therefore based on our understanding of the potential role of neuroglia in brain disease. One of the major neurotransmitters, dopamine, is known to play an important role in MDD. I will examine the regulation of astrocytes, a major type of neuroglia, by dopamine. Based on the state of the art, I hypothesise that astrocytic dopamine D1 receptor signalling may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Through innovative methodological approaches I will study the regulation of astrocytic D1 receptor signalling at the cellular level in an experimental model of MDD. Moreover, this project will explore D1 signalling in vivo to validate the results obtained on isolated cells. The proposed research will provide a new framework that includes astrocytes and the mechanisms underlying the dopaminergic modulation in depression. This will afford novel cellular targets for treatment of MDD associated with dopamine D1 receptor signalling. In addition, a comprehensive two-way transfer of knowledge is envisioned to bring together competences and experiences necessary for the proposed research. The fellowship will facilitate my career development and enable me to get established in the field.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology pathophysiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.4.1.5 - Fostering brain circulation of researchers and excellence initiatives
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
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.