Objective
In the neocortex, GABAergic interneurons make up ~25% of the entire neuronal population, but their activity is crucial, as they provide feed-forward and feedback inhibition and prevent development of epilepsy. Besides serving as mere controllers of excitation, inhibitory interneurons generate, pace and modulate the rhythmic activity of large neuronal populations, which is thought to be associated with several behavioural functions, as well as epileptiform activity.
Cortical interneurons represent a highly heterogeneous cell population, yet a few major subtypes can be identified, forming specific GABAergic networks and connectivity patterns. Our recent experiments revealed that fast spiking (FS) and low-threshold spiking (LTS) interneurons are controlled by distinct self-inhibitory mechanisms, each unique and powerful. FS cells form functional GABAergic autaptic contacts, which, once activated by their own firing, generate a fast, precise and transient inhibition.
In contrast, LTS cells, in response to their own repetitive discharges, generate a hyperpolarizing slow self inhibition (SSI) that is large, long-lasting and results from autocrine release of endocannabinoids. In this proposal we will address two major questions:
- In FS cells, how do autapses determine the overall inhibitory input onto these cells, coordinating inhibitory plasticity and network synchrony?
- What are the mechanisms and function of the endocannabinoid-dependent SSI in LTS cells?
Our approach will include single and paired whole cell recordings of rat interneurons in brain slices together with pharmacology, neuroanatomy and molecular biology.
The results of these experiments will address the central theme, i.e. mechanisms and function of self-inhibition in neocortical neurons and will lea d to a clearer understanding of how two major subclasses of interneurons regulate cortical excitability with relevant implications to normal cognitive functions, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and drug of abuse.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology epilepsy
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry schizophrenia
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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-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
ROMA
Italy
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.