Objective
Combining visual and auditory signals in the environment is central to survival, whether predator, prey, or pedestrian. Despite this ubiquity, studies disagree on how and where auditory and visual information is integrated in the brain. These disagreements are hypothesised to arise from differences in behavioural tasks and animal states (running or stationary). I propose to test this hypothesis and interrogate the underlying neural circuitry with state-the-art optogenetic techniques. First, I will train the same mice on two established behavioural tasks known to produce distinct audiovisual integration strategies: one where auditory and visual information streams are equally combined, and one where a single modality dominates. This will determine whether differences in strategy are attributable to differences in task structure, and whether behavioural state has a consistent impact on these strategies. Second, I will use an established optogenetics technique to reversibly inactivate 52 cortical regions in each mouse as they transition between behavioural tasks and states. This will establish whether the audiovisual circuitry changes with task structure, as has been proposed, and may also uncover new multisensory pathways. Finally, I will use a novel combination of optogenetic tools to causally test connections from all 52 cortical regions to a specific target region in each mouse. This will reveal whether switching between tasks leads to differences in the communication between brain regions and links these to task structure and behavioural state. These results will reveal foundational principles of audiovisual integration and will provide a foothold to understand why failures in this process are associated with cognitive disorders. Furthermore, revealing how differences in task structure can change the behaviour of animals and the underlying neural circuitry will have board implications for studies throughout behavioural neuroscience.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom
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.