Descripción del proyecto
Una investigación busca descubrir el papel de una población de células transitorias en la navegación espacial
Las células Cajal-Retzius (CR), un tipo de neuronas presentes en la superficie de la corteza cerebral en desarrollo, desempeñan un papel central en el desarrollo de las áreas corticales. Estas células están presentes en el hipocampo posnatal durante varios meses. Sin embargo, todavía se desconoce su influencia sobre los recuerdos dependientes del hipocampo. El proyecto CaRe-Space, financiado por las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, está investigando cómo las células CR afectan al crecimiento de los circuitos neuronales del hipocampo y al desarrollo del sistema de navegación espacial. Los resultados del proyecto permitirán a los investigadores comprender mejor cómo el cerebro procesa la información y las consecuencias del crecimiento inadecuado de los circuitos neuronales del hipocampo.
Objetivo
Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells play a pivotal role in the development of cortical areas, by guiding the migration of principal cells. While cortical CR cells disappear soon after birth, these cells are present in the hippocampus for several months of postnatal development. However, the role that CR cells play in hippocampus-dependent memories is still unknown. In fact, the
hippocampal-parahippocampal region forms a network responsible for spatial representation, in rodents and in humans. In both species, spatial navigation shows a delayed postnatal maturation, which correlates with the persistence of CR cells. CR cells are indeed located in a key position to control the development of the entorhinal-hippocampal connections, and I have previously showed that CR cells are an active part of the hippocampal circuit. I hypothesize that hippocampal CR cells play a
fundamental role in the maturation of the circuits of the hippocampal region and in the development of the spatial navigation system. By using specific genetic and molecular tools, I will ablate hippocampal CR cells at early postnatal stages and then analyze alterations of the circuit of the hippocampal region and of the spatial navigation system.
The last decade has seen a major global effort in trying to understand how the brain processes information. Indeed, several research groups are investigating how spatial maps are created in the brain. However, few studies have looked at how the involved circuits actually develop and what are the consequences of an improper maturation. My previous research
experience on the development of neuronal circuits and specifically on CR cells will benefit me tremendously in understanding how these cells are contributing to the creation of spatial memory. The study will also help bridging a gap between developmental and system neuroscience, a goal that I will keep pursuing in my future scientific career.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panelCoordinador
7491 Trondheim
Noruega