Objective
Pregnancy and lactation involve deep hormonal fluctuations that drive maternal behaviours and reshape the neuroplastic female brain. While much is known about classical maternal caregiving circuits, how neural networks beyond these regions are reshaped to support the broader physiological and behavioural demands of motherhood, is poorly understood. The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC), a key integrator of hormonal and metabolic signals, is ideally positioned to mediate such adaptations. Yet, the extent and nature of ARC neuronal remodelling during female reproductive states (FRS) are largely unknown. Preliminary data from my host laboratory reveal that FRS induce dynamic neuroplasticity within the ARC. Specifically, POMC neurons show marked and state-dependent expression of the reproductive hormone prolactin receptor (PrlR). The expression levels of this receptors and the proportion of PrlR-expressing POMC neurons (POMCPrlR) fluctuate across FRS. Furthermore, a subset of POMC is activated upon suckling and the ablation of those neurons in females lads to lack of maternal care and death of the offspring. These findings suggest that POMC neurons are uniquely responsive to the maternal hormonal milieu and may orchestrate critical behavioural and physiological adaptations during motherhood. This project aims to unravel the role and reconfiguration of neurons in meeting the allostatic demands of reproduction. Drawing on my expertise in neuroendocrinology and hypothalamic function, and employing cutting-edge molecular and behavioural tools, I will (1) dissect the role of prolactin receptor in POMC neurons, (2) define the plastic functional microarchitecture of POMCPrlR neurons and (3) decipher the identity, function, and neuroadaptive mechanisms of postsynaptic targets of POMCPrlR neurons during FRS. This work will provide unprecedented insights into female-specific brain plasticity beyond caregiving circuits, redefining our understanding of the maternal brain.
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
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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.1.2 - 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-2025-PF
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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.
08036 BARCELONA
Spain
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.