Project description
Second-messenger effects on neuronal plasticity and implications for Parkinson’s disease
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a ubiquitous so-called second messenger in the body, a molecule that transduces a signal and initiates other events or processes like a runner passing a baton. Its role in the functioning of the nervous system is well accepted. However, whether it plays a role in the synaptic and structural plasticity of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum, integrally involved in Parkinson’s disease, is not known. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SCAMPICITY project is seeking to answer this open question with a focus on spiny projection neurons in the striatum.
Objective
The project aims to reveal the so far unknown role of cAMP in structural and synaptic plasticity of striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) in health and disease. Striatal SPNs divide into two subgroups: the dSPNs and iSPNs. While dSPNs preferentially express the D1 dopamine (DA) receptor, iSPNs express the D2 receptor. Both are coupled to the cAMP second messenger cascade, however the D1-receptor activates and the D2-receptor inhibits it. DA has therefore opposite effects on the two SPN groups, both mediated by cAMP. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by typical motor symptoms caused by the death of DA neurons and the subsequent lack of DA in the striatum. A long-standing but untested notion in the field is that loss of DA leads to aberrant cAMP levels and signaling in SPNs.
The project will look at the role of cAMP in SPN synaptic and structural plasticity. We will use novel optogenetic tools that allow cell-type specific activation of cAMP, with high spatiotemporal resolution. Focusing on corticostriatal synaptic transmission, we want to ask if transient activation of cAMP alone is sufficient to induce plasticity (e.g. strengthening or weakening) of this synapse. Secondly, we will use known plasticity protocols and test if precise activation of cAMP can interrupted or potentiated them. Unpublished data suggest that in vivo drug treatments that presumably elevate cAMP in SPNs induce structural plasticity, i.e. loss of dendritic spines. Following this we will unravel if cell-type specific activation of cAMP is sufficient to induce structural changes and how this relates to synaptic plasticity. Lastly, we will test the long-standing notion that cAMP levels and the responsiveness of the cascade are altered in an animal model of PD. This project will advance our understanding of how SPNs work by unraveling cAMP’s role in plasticity, and potentially inform future strategies to combat PD.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell signaling
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology neurodegenerative diseases parkinson
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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-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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-2018
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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.
20251 Hamburg
Germany
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.