Project description
Dissecting olfactory engrams to transform trauma treatment
Memories are stored in neuronal groups called engrams. While generalisation helps integrate related information, too much can lead to maladaptive recall, as seen in post-traumatic stress disorder. Understanding this process is crucial for addressing memory issues. The olfactory system is a valuable model for studying engrams. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ODORgram project will investigate fear memory engrams in the mouse olfactory system using calcium imaging to identify differences in odour engrams. It will develop a cell code that predicts overgeneralisation and pathological memories. The project will also use a technique called FLiCRE to permanently tag engrams, enabling the separation of traumatic memories from unrelated information and providing tools to address them.
Objective
Remembering fearful episodes is crucial for anticipating future threats. To this aim, some memories undergo consolidation, a process that selects and integrates important information into the existing knowledge base of the brain. Memory information is stored in specific subsets of neurons called engrams. As time elapses, memories undergo generalization, a useful process allowing related information to be incorporated into the original trace. However, excessive generalization becomes maladaptive when memory recall aberrantly occurs in conditions not related to the original event such as in Postraumatic Stress Disorder. Understanding how memories are generalized is of paramount importance for preventing and treating memory overgeneralization. Why do some fear memories degenerate into pathology? Can we predict which memories will overgeneralize? Can overgeneralization be corrected? Here, we aimed to use the mouse olfactory system to investigate the evolution of fear memory engrams. Indeed, the olfactory system offers a unique setting for the longitudinal observation and manipulation of memory engrams, as odors are processed by conserved neuronal maps in the olfactory bulbs. First, using calcium imaging visualization of individual divergence from the known common odor engram, we aim to define a cell code that can predict overgeneralization and, subsequently, the individual development of pathological memories. Furthermore, using a novel technique, FLiCRE, that allows permanent engram tagging at an unprecedented temporal precision, we aim to target odor-related fear memory engrams, and rectify overgeneralization by disassociating the neuronal engram of the traumatic experience from unrelated information. This proposal will uniquely dissect how memories are encoded in the olfactory system and provide a tool for understanding, predicting and improving traumatic memories.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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75231 Paris
France
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