Objective
A fundamental question in neuroscience is whether we can causally link distinct patterns of defined circuit elements with behavior. A mechanistic understanding of patterned activity will take into account the individual neurons and their synaptic interactions within distributed networks spanning multiple regions. We propose here to use genetically targeted switches of pyramidal neurons and whole-brain functional imaging to study the dynamics of distributed functional networks. Recent work has revealed that optogenetic strategies, using activation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), a light-gated cation channel, can be employed to drive the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) blood oxygenation-level dependent response in the rodent. Leveraging optogenetic fMRI we have shown that fMRI tracks optically evoked neural activity; further, we as well as others have shown that activity is observed locally and downstream of the light activated target. In this proposal we will use whole-brain high-resolution fMRI in awake mice combined with optogenetic activation (ChR2) of pyramidal neurons to assess the impact of causal manipulations on distributed brain network responses. Specifically, we will use the barrel field in primary somatosensory cortex (SI) to study the functional-anatomy of the mystacial vibrissa somatosensory system. We will focus on the following issues: (1) Examine whether optically-driven SI activity can be used to reveal somatotopic organization in regions connected to SI; (2) Examine the brain-wide functional-anatomy of SI optically driven activity by characterizing fMRI responses in relation to anatomical connections and neural plasticity; (3) Use regions identified with optically driven fMRI responses to focus our electrophysiological and anatomical experiments. We expect that the proposed research will contribute to our understanding of functional connections between regions, and highlight response properties in parts of the network unstudied so far.
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
- engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging magnetic resonance imaging
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
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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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
32000 Haifa
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.