Objective "Spontaneous brain activity, the most expensive metabolic process of the human brain, is highly dynamic and continually evolves over timescales of seconds. Human neuroimaging has made it possible to map dynamic patterns of spontaneous network activity with increasing precision. However, our understanding of the origin, function and organization of this phenomenon remains alarmingly limited. This project aims to elucidate the physiological mechanisms and operational principles that govern spontaneous network dynamics (termed here ""brain network dynamics"" - BND). To achieve these goals, I will establish an integrated research platform that combines advanced manipulations and recordings of BND in the awake mouse brain. To comprehensively probe the mechanisms that operate BND, I will carry out two complementary sets of causal manipulations that are conceptualized as exogenous or endogenous neuromodulation, depending on whether they encompass synthetic (optogenetically generated, Aim 1) or intrinsic (neurotransmitter related, Aim 2) modulatory mechanisms, respectively. Using this approach, I will (a) uncover the rhythms that causally sustain BND, and establish how BND causally responds to (and can be controlled by) mechanistically-precise exogenous neuromodulation; (b) empirically test the hypothesis that cholinergic and noradrenergic transmission cooperatively control the intrinsic organization of BND, as well the selective engagement of higher-order cortical systems relevant for attention and cognition. Crucially, multiscale network activity will be theoretically linked to dynamical regimes (brain states) of translational relevance via quantitative analyses. This research will address fundamental questions regarding the neural mechanisms governing BND and the possibility of controlling its organization via targeted exogenous modulation, with important implications for basic, theoretical and translational neuroscience." Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology Keywords resting state fMRI connectomics neuromodulation default mode network large-scale modelling brain stimulation spontaneous brain activity MEG Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2023-COG - ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2023-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants Host institution FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Net EU contribution € 1 791 875,00 Address VIA MOREGO 30 16163 Genova Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova 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 € 1 791 875,00 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Italy Net EU contribution € 1 791 875,00 Address VIA MOREGO 30 16163 Genova See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova 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 € 1 791 875,00 UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF Germany Net EU contribution € 207 563,00 Address Martinistrasse 52 20251 Hamburg See on map Region Hamburg Hamburg Hamburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments 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 € 207 563,00
