Objective
You’re faced with a difficult choice. What do you do? Most people will, either explicitly or implicitly, weigh the possible consequences their decision. This involves an internal journey through possible events. Its these kinds of dynamic processes and their mapping onto behavior that characterize higher brain function. And yet, their very internal nature is both what makes them of critical interest and so difficult to study. Here, we propose to study a simple, well-controlled decision-making behavior wherein mice have to generate a dynamic, internal representation of elapsed time in order to make choices that result in reward. We focus on frontal cortico-basal ganglia circuits and their dopaminergic inputs that together are broadly implicated in cognition and involved in the production of this particular behavior. We have demonstrated previously that striatal population dynamics and dopamine neuron activity both correlate with and exert control over animals’ judgments. Having identified key signals at multiple stages of the BG circuit related to this decision in rats and mice, my laboratory is now uniquely poised to dissect the circuit mechanisms by which such signals are generated and transformed into actions. Specifically, we will 1) Measure activity of specific cell types at multiple stages of the BG as mice judge duration. 2) Image and manipulate the activity of DA neurons while recording from neural populations in the BG to determine the relationship between neuromodulatory input, neural dynamics, and behavior. 3) Relate the activity of cortico-striatal inputs to striatal responses during behavior to understand the computational and circuit bases of striatal activity. These experiments promise to unlock deep mysteries regarding how animals free themselves from the immediacy of the current moment, learning, planning, and choosing their path toward a safer, more fruitful, and satisfying existence.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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) ERC-2017-COG
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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.