Project description
Molecular insight into the control of neuronal activity
The brain uses chemical messengers called neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine to regulate neural activity and adapt behaviour. Imbalances in these systems underlie highly prevalent conditions including depression and schizophrenia. While individual neuromodulators have been extensively studied, how multiple neuromodulators act simultaneously to shape neural circuit dynamics remains poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NEUROMODelling project aims to build the first holistic framework of combined neuromodulatory control. In this context, researchers will integrate simultaneous recordings of neuronal activity and multiple neuromodulator levels with computational modelling. Findings will advance fundamental understanding of brain state regulation and lay the groundwork for translational research into neuromodulatory imbalances in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Objective
Neuromodulators are key controllers of neuronal activity, orchestrating brain state transitions that allow humans to adapt their behaviour to internal needs and environmental demands. Disruptions in the neuromodulatory balance lead to highly prevalent mental and mood disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, identified as top priorities by the WHO.
Neuromodulators are released simultaneously and target neurons express multiple receptors for all of them, yet crucially, how they jointly shape the activity and dynamics of neuronal circuits remains largely unknown. To solve this question, we need to describe and explain how neuromodulator receptors activation mechanistically influences neuronal activity, from the perspective of both biophysics and dynamical systems.
This project will address this critical gap in our understanding of the brain by integrating, for the first time, the analysis of simultaneous neuronal and multi-neuromodulator recordings with mean-field and mechanistic biophysical models, to accurately map how changes in the neuromodulatory landscape modulate circuit dynamics and support different behaviours. These results will guide future research, and lay the foundations for translational studies on how neuromodulatory imbalances drive neurodegenerative and mood disorders.
In summary, this project will leverage my experience in neural data analysis and modeling with the unique experimental capacity and available data in the host lab, enabling us for the first time to generate a holistic framework for addressing the role of combined neuromodulators in organizing neuronal activity.
This fellowship will accelerate my path to independence, that will enable me to establish and implement my research program focused on how the complex combination of physiological signals, internal brain states, and anatomical constraints shape spontaneous brain activity.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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75013 Paris
France
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