The Role of Astrocyte Neuromodulation in Cortical Plasticity and Learning (NEI F31)
Amount
Not specified
Deadline✓ Verified
Aug 31, 2029
Funder
National Eye Institute
Eligible
open to all
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Astrocytes, once considered passive support cells in the brain, are now recognized as active regulators of synaptic function and plasticity. Emerging evidence suggests that large-scale astrocytic calcium events coincide with widespread neuromodulator release that correlates with behavioral measures of arousal such as pupil dilation. The release of neuromodulators is thought to enhance learning efficiency by modulating how sensory information is encoded. However, the mechanisms by which astrocytic calcium influences sensory encoding and learning remain poorly understood. This proposal aims to determine how astrocyte calcium activity shapes local neuronal network activity to facilitate learning. The project will use visually evoked eyeblink conditioning in mice, a behavior that engages both the visual cortex and cerebellum, regions known for pronounced astrocyte calcium activity. In the first aim, I will test whether manipulating astrocytic calcium levels in the visual c
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