Objective
Neurodegenerative movement disorders e.g. Huntington’s Disease (HD) predominantly involve progressive motor symptoms as a result of disrupted basal ganglia neuronal networks. These symptoms are accompanied by early occurring deficits in visual perception and oculomotor functions, which share neuronal circuits with motor domains, and can be used in the prediction of the onset and severity of HD pathogenesis. Therefore, understanding the early circuitry alterations in HD progression is crucial to develop new disease-modifying strategies. The superior colliculus (SC) is a sensorimotor structure that receives and integrates visual information to control reflexes and is involved in visual perception and oculomotor functions. Functional MRI and behavioural studies demonstrated that the HD symptomatic mouse model show alterations in the SC function, but its role in motor symptoms has not been directly addressed.
The HD-SC project proposes that (i) SC is an important factor in the basal ganglia circuit alterations found in HD, (ii) topographically segregated SC outputs provide differential contributions to the motor and defensive behaviours, and (iii) temporal control of SC neuronal plasticity with novel phytochromes will cause delay and amelioration in motor symptoms in HD model. This will be addressed using a combination of mouse behavioural, histological and biochemical phenotyping to reveal the onset of SC-related alterations in the HD model. Then, by using DREADDS we will determine the differential representation of SC outputs in motor and defensive behaviour. Finally, we will test the capability of phytochromes to modulate SC neuronal plasticity and delay and ameliorate motor symptoms in the HD model. Overall, the HD-SC aims at bringing a spotlight to mechanisms causing symptomatic resilience in the HD model, which potentially could be implemented in other neurodegenerative movement disorders with basal ganglia circuit alterations.
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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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08007 BARCELONA
Spain
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