Objective
Pioneering studies from the last decades have shown that we can use animal models to study the neural correlates of learning and emotional memories. These studies have identified a network of brain regions that co-orchestrate the dynamic processes that occur during acquisition, retrieval and update of memories with valence. In primates, these areas and their connectivity have evolved to allow a complex interaction between cognitive abilities and emotions. Although we know that emotional memories differ from neutral memories, the actual neural codes that underlie them are largely unknown. Understanding emotional memories at a detailed level in a primate model is a crucial step in our goal to understand ourselves, and would allow specific therapeutic interventions for a spectrum of psychiatric disorders.
Our primary objectives are: a. to develop a comprehensive battery of behavioral paradigms that targets emotional learning and memory in non-human primates; b. to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie long-term evolvement of these memories; c. to develop a computational and experimental framework to understand coding in these high-dimensionality networks. We combine large-scale inter- and intra-regional simultaneous electrophysiological recordings in the primate amygdala and prefrontal-cortices, with a set of focused paradigms that use behavioral generalization as a tool to probe the underlying neural building blocks. Generalization is a highly-evolved cognitive ability of primates and a desired feature of any learning algorithm. Importantly, it is a tool to modify the brain and unveil the structure of its internal representations i.e. the neural code. Together, it will form a unified framework to understand neural codes of learning and memory formation in valence-based situations. Our research will help establishing an emerging field of computational affective neuroscience, and our vision holds that Emotion is finally within the reach of neurophysiology.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry
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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.
ERC-2011-StG_20101109
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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.
Host institution
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
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.