Objective New neurons are continuously generated in certain regions of adult mammalian brain. One of those regions is the dentate gyrus, a subregion of hippocampus, which is essential for memory formation. Although these new neurons in the adult dentate gyrus are thought to have an important role in learning and memory, it is largely unclear how new neurons are involved in information processing and storage underlying memory. Because new neurons constitute a minor portion of intermingled local neuronal population, simple application of conventional techniques such as multi-unit extracellular recording and pharmacological lesion are not suitable for the functional analysis of new neurons. In this proposed research program, I will combine multi-unit recording and behavioral analysis with virus mediated, cell-type-specific genetic manipulation of neuronal activity, to investigate computational roles of new neurons in learning and memory. Specifically, I will determine: 1) specific memory processes that require new neurons, 2) dynamic patterns of activity that new neurons express during memory-related behavior, 3) influence of new neurons on their downstream structure. Further, based on the information obtained by these three lines of studies, we will establish causal relationship between specific memory-related behavior and specific pattern of activity in new neurons. Solving these issues will cooperatively provide important insight into the understanding of computational roles performed by adult neurogenesis. The information on the function of new neurons in normal brain could contribute to future development of efficient therapeutic strategy for a variety of brain disorders. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisfunctional analysisnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processing Keywords adult neurogenesis hippocampus Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-LS4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology Call for proposal ERC-2007-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU EU contribution € 1 673 743,00 Address HOGSKOLERINGEN 1 7491 Trondheim Norway See on map Region Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Stig Slordahl (Prof.) Principal investigator Ayumu Tashiro (Ph.D.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU Norway EU contribution € 1 673 743,00 Address HOGSKOLERINGEN 1 7491 Trondheim See on map Region Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Stig Slordahl (Prof.) Principal investigator Ayumu Tashiro (Ph.D.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Singapore EU contribution € 318 000,00 Address NANYANG AVENUE 50 639798 Singapore See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Mei Fong Loong (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
