Tuning down synapses to remap the brain and adapt behavior – syTune
Functional sensory maps in the cerebral cortex reorganize in response to peripheral injury, with active modalities gaining cortical space at the expense of less active regions. Map expansion drives homeostatic and activity-dependent strengthening and weakening of pre-existing synapses to promote the recovery of altered sensorimotor skills. While most studies have classically focused on the growth and stabilization of synapses, whether spine elimination also serves critical function during cortical remapping remains unknown. The project syTune grounds on solid preliminary results and combine state-of-the-art imaging, electrophysiological and genetic tools in vivo to address for the first time to what extent the activity-dependent removal of spines in the barrel cortex causes cortical map expansion and the recovery of altered sensorimotor skills upon sensory deafferentation. A better understanding of synapse elimination should pave the way for new studies related to brain diseases.
Project coordination
Frederic Gambino (INSTITUT INTERDISCIPLINAIRE DE NEUROSCIENCES)
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partner
IINS INSTITUT INTERDISCIPLINAIRE DE NEUROSCIENCES
IINS INSTITUT INTERDISCIPLINAIRE DE NEUROSCIENCES
Help of the ANR 498,990 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
September 2021
- 48 Months