Objective
The proposed project concerns synaptic plasticity in relation to learning and memory. This area of research is important both for human health and basic biomedical research. Memory is essential for human identity and our ability to function socially. Its loss is amongst the most devastating aspects of brain disorders such as epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
A better understanding of normal memory may lead to better treatment of memory disorders. Spike timing-dependent synaptic plasticity ( STDP) is a strong candidate mechanism, obeying the theoretical predictions made by Donald Hebb and sharing mechanisms with long-term potentiation (LTP) as well as long-term depression (LTD).
Two objectives are identified:
- To establish whether spike timing-dependent potentiation and depression can be dissociated by NMDA receptor-subunit-selective drugs, and
- to investigate the differences in Ca2+ transients induced by activation of these receptors.
The first objective would be met by conventional whole-cell patch-clamp recordings during current clamp from CA1 pyramidal neurones in rat hippocampal slices. The second objective would be met by Ca2+ imaging using confocal microscopy. Hippocampal LTP remains our best model of those synaptic changes that might underlie behavioural memory.
The recent discovery that distinct subunits of the NMDA receptor are necessary for induction of respectively LTP and LTD suggests a novel way to manipulate the conditions in ways that should favour either of these types of plasticity. We intend to use this approach to control the direction of plasticity and investigate the corresponding [Ca2+] changes.
If spike timing-dependent synaptic potentiation and depression can be dissociated pharmacologically, a more detailed investigation into their possible involvement during behavioural memory would be possible, as well as their possible involvement in brain disorders such as epilepsy and excitotoxicity.
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 neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology epilepsy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology dementia alzheimer
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology stroke
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
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-5
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
OXFORD
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.