Objective
An intricate network of blood vessels perfuses the brain to support neural cells and carry signaling molecules from the periphery. It is mainly considered a rigid transportation network rather than a dynamic and plastic information network integrated to neurons and glia. This proposal revisits this concept and aims to define the nature of vascular remodeling in healthy brains (i) and which remodeling mechanisms play a role in shaping plastic neuronal functions (ii)
The project VIRGINS explores this in the context of the neurophysiological adaptations occurring during and after pregnancy. There, sexual hormones promote neuronal plasticity, which tunes the cerebral control of energy balance, and drives the emergence of parental behaviors.
Using our unbiased whole-brain vascular mapping technique TubeMap, we found that in pregnant mouse brains, vascular territories of regions controlling energy homeostasis and hormonal states are remodeled: the Arcuate, PeriVentricular, ParaVentricular, and DorsoMedial nuclei of the Hypothalamus. We also found remodeling of blood vessels in brain regions processing pup calls: the auditory and prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and subcortical relays. The regional specificity of this vascular plasticity suggests precise and complex regulatory mechanisms and a role in shaping neuronal functions in the pregnant state.
To link structural, functional, and molecular changes in the neurovascular unit during gestation, we will use light sheet brain mapping, neurovascular (fast ultrasounds), and 2-photon imaging with transcriptomics, molecular and behavioral tools to determine 1) the nature of whole brain vascular plasticity during pregnancy, 2) its mechanisms and impact on the control of energy homeostasis and 3) its role in the tuning of the auditory system to infant calls. This project will transform our view on the capacity of the NeuroVascular Unit to sculpt neuronal computation and behaviors.
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 clinical medicine obstetrics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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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-2023-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.
75654 PARIS
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.