Project description DEENESFRITPL Behavioral activation of serotonergic neurons The neuromodulator that affects the organisms’ ability to adapt to environmental changes and aversive events is serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The raphe nuclei are the primary location in the brain for the production of 5-HT, which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including obsessive–compulsive disorder, anxiety, drug addiction and depression. 5-HT has also been shown to play a crucial role in cognitive and behavioural flexibility. 5-HT neurons respond to aversive stimuli and promote shifting behaviour away from aversive events, but they also respond to reward and prevent shifting behaviour in the face of effort or delay. The EU-funded FLEX5 project aims to define the behavioural events that activate raphe nuclei 5-HT neurons and define the role of 5-HT in its network. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective One the most relevant neuromodulator which affect the organisms’ ability to adapt to environmental changes and to aversive events is serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 5-HT has long and widely been implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric diseases such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, drug addiction and depression. Emerging evidence indicate that 5-HT also plays a crucial role in cognitive and behavioral flexibility. Serotonin neurons respond to aversive stimuli and promote shifting behavior away from aversive events or frustrative non-reward but also respond to reward and prevent shifting behavior in the face of effort or delay. How 5-HT neurons from the dorsal raphe (DRN5-HT) both promote and prevent shifting behavior is, however, still unclear. Addressing this question requires a better understanding of the role of the 5-HT systems in controlling flexible behavior. Using calcium imaging, optogenetic manipulation, high density fiber photometry and closed-loop brain manipulation, in a comprehensive procedure assessing behavioral flexibility, FLEX5 aims to define the behavioral events that activate DRN5-HT neurons and define the role of 5-HT in its network. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepsychiatryobsessive-compulsive disorderengineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologypathophysiologynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metals Keywords Serotonin behavioral flexibility dorsal raphe Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme 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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Net EU contribution € 171 473,28 Address VIA MOREGO 30 16163 Genova Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 171 473,28
