Role of septal inputs in the properties and function of hippocampal circuits – ROSEPTIN-H
Role of septal inputs in the properties and function of hippocampal circuits
In this project, we will identify and manipulate septal GABAergic and cholinergic neurons in vitro and in vivo using optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools in order to better understand the importance of medial septum for hippocampal function.
Role of the different populations of medio-septal neurons in controlling hippocampal function
This project combines two research groups with complementary expertise in gene targeting approaches and electrophysiology, in slices and in vivo, and is based on a state-of-the-art, innovative methodology. We will use the exquisite possibilities provided by gene-targeting approaches to selectively identify and manipulate septal neurons in vitro and in vivo using optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools. Sophisticated electrophysiological experiments during behavioural tasks and in vivo patch clamp will allow detailed investigation of the septo-hippocampal system. We expect that results will contribute to better understand the importance of medial septum for hippocampal function.
In this project, we are going to identify and manipulate in vitro and in vivo, through opto and pharmaco genetic approaches, the activity of the GABAergic and cholinergic medio-deptal neurons that control the hippocampal circuit. Sophisticated electrophysiological recordings (silicon probes, in vivo patch clamp) will allow us to examine hippocampal function at the systems and single cell levels.
Through opto and pharmaco genetic approaches, we are now able to control the activity of the GABAergic and cholinergic medio-deptal neurons. We are presently dissecting in which respect they control the hippocampal circuit in terms of online and offline processing.
In addition to better understand the importance of medial septum for hippocampal function, these results will contribute to better understand how hippocampal circuits participate in neuronal computation.
Important budget cut required to look for complementary funding, which has delayed the research. The project will be performed along the scientific lines planned, but the scientific results are delayed.
The hippocampus is a key structure for the online processing of spatial information and for its offline consolidation, the functional basis of episodic memory. Previous studies have established that the hippocampus is under the direct and powerful influence of the medial septum. However, the role of the different populations of medial septal neurons in controlling hippocampal function is still unclear. In this project, we will identify and manipulate septal GABAergic and cholinergic neurons in vitro and in vivo using optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools. Sophisticated electrophysiological recordings with multi-site silicon probes and in-vivo patch clamp will allow detailed investigation of the septo-hippocampal system at the single cell and population levels. In addition to better understand the importance of medial septum for hippocampal function, these results will contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the role of oscillatory activity patterns in information coding and storage.
Project coordination
Xavier LEINEKUGEL (Neurocentre Magendie)
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 CNRS DR AQUITAINE
NCM Neurocentre Magendie
Help of the ANR 309,766 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
September 2014
- 48 Months
