Objective Animals interact with and respond to their environment by processing sensory inputs such as visual and auditory cues, touch, taste and smell. How an animal responds to sensory inputs however depends on its internal state (e.g. sleep, wakefulness, stress, fed or starved conditions), such that the same sensory input can produce different behaviours. Neuromodulators play an important role in mediating the internal state of the animal. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are neuropeptides that are conserved across vertebrates and modulate feeding and reproductive behaviours, antagonistically. They are produced by discrete neuronal populations, and are dispersed widely throughout the brain. Studies suggest that both GnRH/NPY modulate the basal olfactory response by altering the synaptic properties of olfactory receptor neurons. However, it is not known how GnRH/NPY influence the processing of chemosensory information in the olfactory bulb (OB) and ultimately odour driven behaviour. Here, I will use an optically transparent and genetically amenable vertebrate model, zebrafish to study brain function and behaviour. First, I will use genetic methods to specifically label, and visualise the activity of the GnRH/NPY neurons in response to natural odours ex vivo. Next, I will manipulate the activity of these neurons using optogenetics and by expressing neurotoxin/cell ablation genes, and study the effect on olfactory processing in the OB. Finally, after manipulating the activity of GnRH/NPY neurons, I will analyse the effect on odour driven behaviour. This will reveal the role of these neuromodulators in olfactory processing and hence on odour driven behaviour in vertebrates. This project unites my expertise in molecular genetics with that of my host in frontier neuroscience to address a fundamental question of sensory processing, relevant for understanding disorders in which behaviour is decoupled from internal state (e.g. obesity/anorexia). Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryobsessive-compulsive disordermedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryposttraumatic stress disordermedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryschizophreniamedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionobesity Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU Net EU contribution € 208 400,40 Address HOGSKOLERINGEN 1 7491 Trondheim Norway See on map Region Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 208 400,40
