Objective
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a locus for higher-order cognition and executive control across species. In most mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia, dysfunction in PFC and its related neuronal networks has been associated with a variety of cognitive impairments. Chronic stress exposure and abnormal levels of glucocorticoid stress hormone (GCs) is a key environmental risk factor for psychiatric illness. The PFC is highly vulnerable to stress exposure and many studies have reported detrimental effects of chronic stress exposure and/or high GCs levels on cognition, however the physiological underpinnings remain poorly understood. GCs exert their action in part by binding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a transcription factor expressed in every cell type. Through a complex interplay with co-factors, GR can modulate the expression of a large set of genes and thereby modify brain circuit physiology ultimately leading to behavioural changes. In this project, I propose to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which stress-exposure can modify the activity of PFC and its related networks and lead to cognitive impairment.
Combining viral-mediated gene transfer and conditional mutagenesis in mice, I propose to inactivate GR either within the whole PFC or in discrete PFC cell populations namely the pyramidal neurons or the parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. I will study the impact of these manipulations on cognitive function including working memory and behavioural flexibility under basal conditions or after chronic stress exposure. The physiological correlates of cognitive deficits will be investigated using multisite electrophysiology recordings in behaving mice with a specific focus on PFC-hippocampus-midbrain circuits. Finally, I propose to examine the PFC-specific role of an important GR binding partner called BRG1, a chromatin remodeler recently linked to cognitive decline in several psychiatric conditions.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry schizophrenia
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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-2016
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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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.