Project description
The role of the cerebellum in the development of the cerebral cortex
The cerebellum has a key role in motor control and cognition. Emerging evidence suggests that early cerebellar dysfunction influences those functions by modulating the development of the cerebral cortex. Scientists of the EU-funded CERCODE project will work under the hypothesis that this mechanism is orchestrated by the thalamus which connects the cerebellum and the cortex. For this purpose, they will disrupt the cerebello-thalamo-cortical connection early in development and investigate the impact on the organisation, function and plasticity of the respective networks. Results will shed light on the mechanisms underlying the cerebellar origin of several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders.
Objective
The cerebellum plays a critical role in motor function, but also in cognitive, and social behavioral development. It is proposed that the influence of the cerebellum in high-order processing is via modulatory effects on the cerebral cortex. Importantly, mounting evidences from clinical studies indicate that early cerebellar damage lead to wide range of changes in the structure and function of the developing cerebral cortex. This pathophysiological phenomenon is referred as “developmental diaschisis” and it suggests that the development of cerebral cortical areas is optimized by the guidance of cerebellar input. Thus, abnormalities in the developmental influence between these two brain regions might underlie the emergence of several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders. Yet, the mechanisms by which the cerebellum is influencing the development and maturation of distant cortical circuits remain unknown.
Here, we will adopt a multidisciplinary and innovative approach to define the mechanisms by which the cerebellum influences the development of cortical areas. We hypothesize that these mechanisms are orchestrated by the thalamus, a key intermediate region connecting the cerebellum and the cortex. Therefore, a cerebellar malfunctioning might lead to alterations of cortical areas via thalamic reorganizations. Manipulating cerebellar early normal development and function offers us the possibility to shed light onto this issue. Thus, we will embryonically disturb the cerebello-thalamo-cortical output by anatomical, genetic and functional methods to determine the alterations in the development, organization, function and plasticity of the thalamocortical and cortical networks. The successful execution of this high-risk, high-impact research will provide insights on how the atypical cerebellar structure or function is involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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) ERC-2020-STG
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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.
28006 MADRID
Spain
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.