Project description
Understanding how neuronal networks store and process information
Neuronal networks rely on inhibitory interneurons (INs) to process and store information. However, our understanding of how INs connect with pyramidal cells and engram cells, which encode memories, remains limited. With support from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the InGATE project will focus on specific circuits in the amygdala and hippocampus related to valence coding. In this context, memories with negative or positive emotions are stored in different engram cells in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). The project will investigate how two subclasses of inhibitory neurons (parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) expressing neurons) regulate the flow of aversive or rewarding information from the BLA to the CA1 region of the ventral hippocampus.
Objective
The ability of neuronal networks to process and store information relies on the activity of diverse subclasses of inhibitory interneurons (INs). While the importance of inhibition in controlling key features of network function is being increasingly appreciated, the understanding of the role of INs in neuronal networks function is limited by the incomplete knowledge of the connectivity between the different IN subclasses and pyramidal cells. Such gap of knowledge is even more evident when considering the connectivity between INs and engram cells, i.e. subgroups of pyramidal neurons encoding specific memories. In this conceptual framework, the InGATE project will analyze specific amygdalo-hippocampal circuits involved in valence coding, where memories of stimuli imbued with negative or positive valence segregate in different engram cells in the BLA. InGATE will test the hypothesis that two broad INs subclasses, the parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) expressing INs, differentially gate aversive or rewarding information from the BLA to the CA1 region of the ventral hippocampus. To this end, I will analyze the functional connectivity between BLA aversive or rewarding engram cells (formed during fear or reward conditioning) to pyramidal cells and PV/SST interneurons in vCA1. In parallel, I will study vCA3 Schaffer collaterals converging on those vCA1 pyramidal cells and PV/SST interneurons that receive inputs from the BLA aversive or rewarding engram cells. Thus, the ultimate goal of InGATE is to clarify how PV or SST interneurons shape engram cells in vCA1 by integrating valence-related information from BLA and multisensory contextual information from the vCA3 area. InGATE will combine several state-of-the-art methodological approaches to generate, identify and manipulate aversive or rewarding BLA engrams and isolate their targets in vCA1. In addition, it will exploit an in vivo approach to measure population activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in vCA1.
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)
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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-2023-PF-01
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16163 GENOVA
Italy
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