Decisions and dopamine in frontal cortical circuits. (360G-Wellcome-106101_Z_14_Z)

£250,000

This proposal has three aims. Firstly, I will investigate whether the phasic activation of dopamine neurons projecting to different brain structures, namely NAc versus mPFC, could cause distinct effects on perceptual decision making. To do so, I will use optogenetic tools to stimulate dopamine neurons of a mice engaged in visually guided decision task. Secondly, I will study how the projection-pathway specific dopamine activity modulates frontal cortical responses. In doing so, I will record the activity of single neurons in different parts of mPFC while optically stimulating dopamine neurons projecting to different target structures. Finally, I will investigate dopamine-related frontal cortical dynamics underlying perceptual decisions. By combining two-photon microscopy and genetic tools, I will examine the simultaneous activity of several dopamine receptor expressing neurons in mPFC while the mice is engaged in the perceptual decision task. If successful, these studies will support t he proposal that projection-pathway specific and cell-type specific modulation of neuronal circuits shape the decision process. As such, this research will provide important insights about the neurobiology of goal-directed behaviour and will open new directions in the study of cortico-basal ganglia dynamics.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 250000
Applicant Surname Lak
Approval Committee Basic Science Interview Committee
Award Date 2014-11-19T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2014/15
Grant Programme: Title Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship
Internal ID 106101/Z/14/Z
Lead Applicant Dr Armin Lak
Partnership Value 250000
Planned Dates: End Date 2019-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2015-02-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London
Sponsor(s) Prof Kenneth Harris, Prof Matteo Carandini