Project description
Shedding light on basal ganglia neural mechanisms governing action control
Action initiation and suppression are impaired in patients who suffer psychiatric disorders such as depression and impulsivity. A better understanding is needed of the neural basis of such action control. There’s a strong connection between the direct and indirect output pathways of the basal ganglia and action initiation and suppression, respectively. The EU-funded GONOGO project intends to gain insight into the neural mechanisms in the basal ganglia that govern action control. Its novel interdisciplinary approaches will include monitoring neuronal ensemble activity with calcium imaging using implantable, miniaturised fluorescence microscopes and simultaneous optogenetic manipulation in novel transgenic rats performing in a tailor-made behavioural paradigm. The project’s work may help improve treatment of depression and impulsivity disorders.
Objective
We cross the street when the traffic light is green (action initiation), and we wait if it is red (action suppression), both in order to reach a goal across the street, such as getting an ice cream (rewarding) or insect-repellant to avoid a mosquito bite (aversive). Such action control is dysfunctional in several psychiatric disorders. For example, action initiation and suppression are impaired in patients suffering from depression and impulsivity, respectively. Thus, improving our incomplete understanding of the neural basis of action control has translational value, specifically how action outcome valence (rewarding or aversive) interacts with brain mechanisms of action control (i.e. initiation or suppression). The direct and indirect output pathways of the basal ganglia are strongly implicated in action initiation and suppression, respectively, and receive modulating input from dopamine and serotonin neurons, which are implicated in processing rewarding and aversive stimuli, respectively. I hypothesize that the anatomical and functional integration of these opposing systems supports action control as well as constitutes a neural interface for the interaction of action control and outcome valence. I propose to use a set of innovative and inter-disciplinary approaches that include monitoring neuronal ensemble activity with calcium imaging using implantable, miniaturized fluorescence microscopes and simultaneous optogenetic manipulation in novel transgenic rats performing in a tailor-made behavioral paradigm. I aim to understand the neural mechanisms in the basal ganglia that crucially govern the control over actions with different outcome valences. My anticipated results will inform future research and potentially treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and impulsivity disorders. Further, this fellowship will strengthen my position as an independent researcher and increase my chances for a tenure-track position at a European research institution.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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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.1.3. - 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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2019
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1105AZ Amsterdam
Netherlands
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