BrainInformationFlow · Principles underlying information flow across the entire brain of the zebrafish
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-01-01 → 2021-12-31
- EU contribution
- €196,708
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Principles underlying information flow across the entire brain of the zebrafish
How information is processed and how it flows through the brain to generate motor behaviours and cognitive functions is a paramount question in neurosciences. In 1949 Donald Hebb proposed that individual neurons cooperate to form functional structures (neuronal assemblies) that communicate through phase sequences. Recent experiments support the existence of neuronal assemblies with specific funcitonal roles, but how does the information flow between these neuronal assemblies to generate phase sequences, remain elusive. For this project, we used the zebrafish larva as the experimental model in combination with light-sheet microscopy, we monitored whole-brain dynamics with single-neuron resolution while simultaneously recording free tail movements as a behavioral output. I analyzed the topology, occurrence frequency and transition probability of whole-brain assemblies and phase sequences triggered spontaneously, or by different sensory stimuli and therefore during different behavioral motives. I showed that there is a large variability of whole-brain assembly characteristics. In addition, there are almost no silent moments in the brain while increases and decreases in the number of active assemblies are more consistent with activation cascades than with sequences in which each has a temporary beginning and end. In addition, I observed global state shifts at the brain activity characterized by the shutting down of a vast majority of active assemblies at the same time that the inactive assemblies are activated. In particular, those shifts are associated with the activation of noradrenergic neurons from the locus Coeruleus (LC). Our project addresses fundamental questions in neuroscience aiming to contribute to scientific knowledge.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
How information is processed and flows through the brain to generate motor behaviours and cognitive functions is a paramount question in neurosciences. Donald Hebb proposed that individual neurons cooperate to form larger functional structures (neuronal assemblies) that communicate between them through phase sequences. Recent experiments support the existence of assemblies but how does the information flow between these neuronal assemblies, across the entire brain, remains elusive.I propose to use the zebrafish larva as the experimental model that in combination with optogenetics and light-sheet microscopy, enables monitoring whole-brain dynamics, with single-neuron resolution in an intact behaving vertebrate. Taking advantage of a multidisciplinary approach involving cutting-edge optical techniques, genetics, optogenetics, and mathematical methods from graph theory and statistical mutual information, I intend to shed light on basic principles underlying the flow of information across the entire brain. Specifically, I will study the following aims:* Description of the connectivity structure and organization across the whole brain.* Testing the existence of bottlenecks and surrogate connectivity between neuronal assemblies.* Network connectivity robustness: circuit and physiological compensations following flow of information interruption.In recent years, zebrafish became an important model for human diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, Rett's syndrome, or autism). Thus, my findings may contribute to the understanding of information flow anomalies associated with neurological disorders, and therefore open new doors for the design of novel treatments, still impossible to envision using more complex animal models.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE · ParisCoordinatorFrance
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union