Prefrontal Cortex Circuit Dynamics underlying Working Memory and its Serotonin Modulation

Project description

Exploring the role of serotonin in synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter in the brain and periphery. The prefrontal cortex is essential for top-down control of higher-order executive processes such as learning, working memory and cognitive flexibility and it expresses five types of 5-HT receptor subtypes. Evidence supports a link between dysfunctional serotonergic modulation and working memory deficits, yet the cellular mechanisms are not known. The EU-funded PIANISM project is investigating the role of 5-HT in working memory formation. The team is manipulating cells in brain slices and measuring effects on characteristic synaptic activity thought to underly memory formation in the prefrontal cortex. Insight could be important for therapeutic targets to treat working memory deficits common in some neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › psychiatry › schizophrenia

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility

Topic(s)

• MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships

Call for proposal

H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Coordinator

THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE LIMITED

Address

1 Midland Road
NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom

Activity type

Research Organisations

EU contribution

€ 195 189,28

Participants (1)

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

Participation ended

United Kingdom

EU contribution

€ 17 744,48

Address

South Kensington Campus Exhibition Road
SW7 2AZ London

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments