Project description
Neural code and the electroencephalogram
The electroencephalogram (EEG) is an important non-invasive brain imaging tool in neuroscience and in the clinic. However, the neural circuit activity that gives rise to the EEG is poorly understood. The EU-funded ESNECO project puts forward an interdisciplinary approach combining theoretical modelling with multiscale neurophysiology and interventional techniques to develop mathematical tools to analyse the EEG and interpret it in terms of specific neural features. Such features are key elements of the microcircuit configuration and have been documented to contribute to brain disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The experiments will simultaneously record EEG and intracortical neural activity in mice to determine the contributions of specific classes of cells and specific patterns of activity in cells to different EEG features.
Objective
The electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the most important non-invasive brain imaging tools in neuroscience and in the clinic, but surprisingly little is known about the features of neural circuit activity that give rise to the EEG. The challenge is to explain the functional and anatomical configurations, e.g. the neural interactions among different classes of cells, that produce the diverse spatial, spectral and temporal EEG features linked to cognition and neurological diseases. By means of an interdisciplinary approach, combing advanced theoretical modeling with state-of-the-art multiscale neurophysiology and interventional techniques, I will address the above challenge. I will develop rigorous mathematical tools to disambiguate the EEG and robustly interpret it in terms of specific neural features (e.g. firing rate). Such features are key elements in determining the microcircuit configuration and have been documented to contribute to brain disorders such as schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). First, I will develop neural network models that include the key components of cortical microcircuits. I will then turn these models into accurate EEG analysis tools by fitting them to empirical data to “invert”, or translate back, the EEG into an estimate of the neural parameters. In particular, I am interested in studying the relationship of the EEG with spiking activity and synchrony of excitatory and inhibitory populations. The experiments will record simultaneously EEG and intracortical neural activity in mice, combined with optogenetic tools that can determine the contributions of specific classes of cells and specific patterns of activity in cells to different EEG features. The analysis tools developed in this project will be used to infer neural circuit changes from EEG measures, which will produce substantial progress toward bridging the gap between EEG and neuron dynamics.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry schizophrenia
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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.1.3. - 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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2019
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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.
16163 Genova
Italy
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.