Project description
Mapping brain architecture
The prefrontal cortex (PFC), which lies towards the front of the brain, is responsible for working memory, allowing us to store and process information across time. Scientists of the EU-funded PFCmap project are working to understand how PFC circuits sustain neural activity across the delay period, when information is stored in memory. Using optogenetic methods, they will determine the architecture of these neural circuits and how they change during development. Given the implication of PFC in cognitive behaviour and numerous neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, the results of the project will offer mechanistic insight into PFC function in health and disease.
Objective
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is important for a wide range of cognitive behaviours and is impacted in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. The PFC is thought to function as a key buffer for working memory, allowing us to store and manipulate information across time. The PFC is therefore critical to our ability to link past and future events. To do this the circuitry of the PFC must sustain task relevant neural activity across the delay period, when information is stored in memory. This process is thought to occur through recurrent networks in the superficial layers of the PFC, however the organization of these circuits remains poorly understood. This proposal will apply cutting edge optogenetic methods to produce dense, single-cell connectivity maps to elucidate the circuit architecture of the mouse PFC, providing insight into the circuit mechanisms that support mnemonic coding. It will also explore the development of this circuit, to better understand how refinement of connectivity gives rise to adolescent enhancement in PFC dependent cognition. These findings will also test key computational predictions into the mechanisms that support delay period activity. They will therefore be of broad interest to cellular, systems, computational and cognitive neuroscientists.
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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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.
BS8 1QU BRISTOL
United Kingdom
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.