FLEX5 · Establishing the dual role of serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe in flexible behaviors
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31
- EU contribution
- €171,473
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
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Results in brief
Establishing the dual role of serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe in flexible behaviors
Is serotonin the molecule of happiness or the molecule of restraint? This neuromodulator is involved in many psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, impulsivity, and addiction. However, how serotonin does this remains elusive. Understanding the role of serotonin in behaviour can therefore greatly help the development of new therapeutic strategies. FLEX5 aimed to define the role of the serotoninergic neurons within its network in reinforcement and restraint. The project demonstrated the general role of serotonin in reinforcement, in agreement with studies showing serotonin implication in anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and aboulia (inability to seek pleasure) but a specific role of one of its receptors in the repetition of deceiving reinforcement, agreeing previous studies of serotonin implication in behaviour inhibition.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
One the most relevant neuromodulator which affect the organisms’ ability to adapt to environmental changes and to aversive events is serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 5-HT has long and widely been implicated in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric diseases such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, drug addiction and depression. Emerging evidence indicate that 5-HT also plays a crucial role in cognitive and behavioral flexibility. Serotonin neurons respond to aversive stimuli and promote shifting behavior away from aversive events or frustrative non-reward but also respond to reward and prevent shifting behavior in the face of effort or delay. How 5-HT neurons from the dorsal raphe (DRN5-HT) both promote and prevent shifting behavior is, however, still unclear. Addressing this question requires a better understanding of the role of the 5-HT systems in controlling flexible behavior. Using calcium imaging, optogenetic manipulation, high density fiber photometry and closed-loop brain manipulation, in a comprehensive procedure assessing behavioral flexibility, FLEX5 aims to define the behavioral events that activate DRN5-HT neurons and define the role of 5-HT in its network.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaCoordinatorItaly
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union