Objective Despite intensive study in the past on the problem of how information is processed in the brain to enable individual organisms to adapt to their continuously changing environment, little progress has been made on how new similar but discrete memory traces emerge in neuronal networks during learning. Current theories suggest that experience-dependent modifications in excitation-inhibition balance enable a selected group of neurons to form a new cell association during learning which represent the new memory trace. It was further proposed that particularly GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs) have a large impact on population activity in neuronal networks by means of their inhibitory output synapses. However, how cell associations emerge in space and time and how INs may contribute to this process is still largely unknown. This complex topic was so far difficult to address due to technical constraints. IN-Fo-Trace-DG aims to address this fundamental question in the dentate gyrus (DG), a brain structure essential for the acquisition of similar but discrete new memories. Based on our detailed knowledge on DG’s cellular elements, their interconnectivity and our recently established molecular interference tools, we will first, visualize the spatial and temporal activity patterns of cell populations during spatial learning in a virtual-reality using 2-Photon imaging. Second, we will determine the role of IN recruitment and plasticity in assembly formation by optogenetic and molecular interference. Third, we will analyze changes in excitatory and inhibitory signals in granule cells (GCs), the principal cells in this brain area, and INs during learning using whole-cell recordings in vivo. Finally, we will examine whether adult-born GCs contribute differently to learning-associated population activity compared to mature ones in the adult DG. This innovative multi-disciplinary approach will provide new insights on the mechanisms of new memory formation in cortical networks. Keywords population imaging GABAergic interneurons dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity synaptic transmission in vivo recordings population activity structural plasticity parvalbumin dentate gyrus Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-ADG - ERC Advanced Grant Call for proposal ERC-2017-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Host institution UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM FREIBURG Net EU contribution € 2 463 693,00 Address HUGSTETTER STRASSE 49 79106 Freiburg Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments 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 € 2 463 693,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM FREIBURG Germany Net EU contribution € 2 463 693,00 Address HUGSTETTER STRASSE 49 79106 Freiburg See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments 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 € 2 463 693,00
