Obiettivo The research area of this proposal is Life Science at the intersection of neuroscience, pharmacology and physiology. In the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes are both numerous and complex. They contact most other cell types in the CNS, and the processes of a single astrocyte can envelop as many as 140,000 synapses. Thus, these cells are uniquely able to receive signals from many sources, in particular synapses, via their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Additionally, using conventional pharmacological approaches, it has suggested that astrocytes can also send signals to neurons by release of various transmitters to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. This reciprocal signaling between neurons and astrocytes (gliotransmission) is still a novel concept, and its physiological relevance remains controversial in the field. In the first part of this proposal, we propose to use novel pharmacogenetic tools that will allow us to selectively activate astrocytes vs. neurons in a more physiological manner to further test the concept of gliotransmission and its role in sleep and memory in vivo. In the second part of this proposal, we will take advantage of these powerful pharmacogenetic tools to test a hypothesis that has heretofore been inaccessible to experimentation, i.e. the possibility that astrocyte GPCRs control glycogen metabolism to modulate synaptic transmission, plasticity, sleep and memory formation. Addressing successfully such major questions in the field of neuroscience, and in particular, resolving some controversies about gliotransmission has profound implications in our understanding of the brain, but also and importantly ,in the clinic. From these studies, we are likely to resolve important aspects of astrocyte function and open up entirely new areas of investigation; this work may lead to potential treatments of diseases, including Alzheimer disease and memory and sleep disorders. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimermedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacy Programma(i) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Invito a presentare proposte FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinatore CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Contributo UE € 100 000,00 Indirizzo RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris Francia Mostra sulla mappa Regione Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Alain Mangeol (Mr.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato