Objective
Functional MRI (fMRI) is currently the leading noninvasive modality to assess brain function in vivo. However, it relies on a surrogate marker for neural activity –the hemodynamic responses following activity– which makes fMRI nonspecific and difficult to interpret. Here, we propose to advance the state-of-the-art by developing and evaluating a methodology we term neuronal fMRI (nMRI) which would enable a direct measurement of neuronal activity and its fast dynamics.
Achieving this arduous goal calls for a truly interdisciplinary effort, borrowing concepts from Chemistry (Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) of a neuronal-selective metabolite to impart specificity, restricted diffusion to probe cell sizes), Physics and Engineering (advanced MRI and reconstruction methods). Our general approach consists of a development-validation-application design, thus our main objectives are:
1. Harnessing the hitherto unexplored downfield resonance of N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) –a metabolite confined solely to neurons– in CEST MRI experiments, thus imparting specificity towards the neuronal population; combining this specificity enhancement with diffusion MRI sequences that are extraordinarily sensitive to cellular sizes, and hence are able to sense subtle cell-swellings arising upon neuronal firing. This new method, which we term neuronal-MRI (nMRI) will thus report on neuronal swellings, and as such reflect activity directly.
2. Implementing ultra-fast imaging techniques based on data multiplexing and the latest compressed sensing frameworks to nMRI, such that the 50 ms timescale can be reached with full brain coverage. This will allow the measurement of fast neuronal activity dynamics in the brain.
3. Applying nMRI to study the auditory circuit as a model system in-vivo.
In summary, we posit that nMRI –upon successful implementation and rigorous testing– will be highly impactful in many disciplines, and pave the way to study the neuronal population in health and disease.
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.
- social sciences sociology demography mortality
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology stroke
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology computational neuroscience
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1400-038 LISBOA
Portugal
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.