Objective
Spatial memory is the memory system that allows an individual to answer questions such as: Where am I? Where is it and How do I get there? Hippocampus is critical for spatial memory as its lesion induces profound deficits in spatial learning in human, non-human primates and rats. In the rat, electrophysiological studies show that a large proportion of hippocampal neurons, called place cells, signal the animals' position in the environment. Place cells are thought to constitute the neuronal basis of spatial memory, although only few studies attempted to test this hypothesis directly. In the primate, the lack of studies does not clearly allow to determine how spatial representations are encoded in the hippocampus at the neuronal level.
This project aims to bring further our knowledge on the neuronal basis of memory using the closest experimental model to human. I propose a neurophysiological and behavioural approach featuring a virtual reality environment adapted to the monkey that allows studying single cell activity directly as animals form new spatial memories.
Specifically this projects aims at addressing 3 questions:
1) How is spatial information represented in the primate hippocampus?
2) What is the link between the activity of place cells and memory formation,
3) What are the physiological and functional properties of hippocampal cells in the primate?
To address these questions, I will record the activity of hippocampal neurons as animals navigate in the virtual environment with or without memory demand. In parallel, I will use physiological criteria to characterize the hippocampal neurons and evaluate their functional properties with respect to the task demands. This type of information is critical as to build realistic models of hippocampus that take in account physiological and functional properties of the cells. In the long-term this project will allow to better understanding how hippocampal neurons underlie the formation of new spatial memories.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy primatology
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications virtual reality
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-12
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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.
IRG - Marie Curie actions-International re-integration grants
Coordinator
VILLEURBANNE
France
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.