Project description
Neuromodulator balance and cognitive decline in ageing
Dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) are neurotransmitters that fine-tune brain activity and influence various physiological functions. Among other roles, they contribute to cognitive functions, such as attention and memory. The ERC-funded DOPAGE project aims to comprehensively characterise age-related alterations in the DA system by examining pre- and post-synaptic markers and assessing how their balance supports efficient cognition. The project also investigates age-related changes in the interaction between DA-NA and their contributions to cognitive decline. Researchers will explore pharmacological interventions to restore system balance and identify individuals most likely to benefit. Overall, the findings will clarify molecular alterations of an ageing brain and set the foundation for future interventions against cognitive decline in older population.
Objective
Many older adults experience impairment of cognitive functions, such as memory. While changes to the aging brain are often assumed to underlie cognitive decline, but it has turned out surprisingly hard to identify coupled brain-cognitive changes in aging. This challenge is magnified when searching for potentially modifiable brain alterations that could serve as targets for various kinds of interventions. A promising candidate mechanism is age-related alterations in neurotransmitters like dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA), crucial for brain functions. Yet, existing models of aging related to DA and NA are inadequate, as past studies solely focused on either the DA or NA system and also emphasized a single facet of the multifaceted DA system (either pre- or post-synaptic). This represents a serious omission because various parts of the DA system are tightly regulated and the balance between pre- and post-synaptic markers, rather than each marker in isolation, might be more critical for efficient neuromodulatory function. Contrary to the prevailing notion of a global DA neurodegeneration, characterized by a hypodopaminergic condition, I hypothesis that aging is accompanied with loss of balance between pre- and post-synaptic DA systems. This imbalance holds profound implication for functional brain integrity and cognitive decline in aging. The overarching goal of this ground-breaking research program is to, for the first time, address the fundamental question of how the dynamic interplay between pre- and post-synaptic markers of the DA, along with its interaction with equally critical NA, evolves as individuals age and how these dynamics are linked to functional brain integrity and cognitive decline. Of particular interest is whether transiently restoring the balance between pre- and post-synaptic components of the DA system and NA through pharmacological intervention, opens a window to remodel the aging brain and improve cognitive function in some older individuals.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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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)
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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-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-2024-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.
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
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.