Objective
Learning, memory and other cognitive functions of nervous system as well as psychiatric disorders depend to a great extent from glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmitter systems in neocortex. Investigations about the possible interactions between these systems offer as a new promising area of research in behaving subjects. The aim of this project is to investigate interaction of Glu and DA transmitter systems on a much less investigated level: on neocortex of awaked animals doing natural tasks.
We suppose that a correct answer about interactions of the Glu and DA systems can be studied by several approaches:
A) experiments with animals: using methods of conditioning reflex, microelectrode registration of multiple neuronal activity, local field potentials, microapplication of synaptically active substances, e.g. agonists and antagonists of Glu and DA transmission;
B) experiments with human subjects: using behavior tests and methods of EEG recording.
It is very important to note that the studies with human subjects are in progress due to domestic support from Ukrainian scientific agencies. The current project will make it possible to finish these researches and to compare the results recorded in human and behaving animals.
The experiments will be followed by a complementary mathematical analysis of all experimental material, neuro-simulations and will be accomplished by construction of heuristic models of interactions of both transmitter systems. These results will provide new fundamental data about physiology and mechanisms of brain functioning and can be useful for development of new approach in treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
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1005 Lausanne
Switzerland