Project description
Mechanistic insight into memory consolidation in the brain
The hippocampus is responsible for the consolidation of short-term memory and spatial navigation. However, little is known about the synaptic connectivity and signal processing in this part of the brain. Scientists of the EU-funded CIRCA3 project are interested to unveil how pyramidal neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus form an interconnected network. Emphasis will be given on the mechanisms underlying information processing in CA3 by studying individual synaptic connections. Results will provide important insight into the function of hippocampus with important clinical ramifications such as for the understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
Objective
The hippocampus is critical for learning and memory, and the unique wiring of its CA3 area has inspired theories for neuronal mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval. CA3 pyramidal neurons form an interconnected network which could store unique experiences in specific ensembles of coactive cells. While an attractive hypothesis, many critical facets of CA3 networks remain unknown. CA3’s principal synaptic input arrives from dentate gyrus granule cells, via the powerful mossy fibre synapse. Little is known about the connectivity of individual granule cells to CA3 neurons, while their activity in vivo is very sparse, and they appear to predominantly target inhibitory interneurons rather than pyramidal neurons. Therefore, due to the technical challenge of identifying functionally connected neurons, whether the circuit properties of CA3 are sufficient for its proposed memory function is unclear. This project aims to determine the circuit mechanisms underlying information processing in CA3 at the level of individual synaptic connections. It will employ simultaneous multicellular patch-clamp recordings from CA3 neurons to identify locally connected neuronal ensembles in hippocampal slices, while driving sparse granule cell input in realistic activity patterns using optogenetic stimulation. This project will determine the synaptic connectivity of individual mossy fibre inputs into CA3 cell ensembles, characterise the role of feedforward inhibition in controlling pyramidal neuron activity, and reveal how the unique properties of each synaptic connection contributes to signal processing. Together, this study will provide an insight into the synaptic mechanisms of the hippocampus’ critical memory storage functions. The fellowship will facilitate rigorous scientific development of the researcher, including critical training in state-of-the-art circuit investigation techniques that will enable pursuit of an innovative research career, defined by the highest quality science.
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.
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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-2020
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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.
3400 Klosterneuburg
Austria
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.