The role of astrocyte neuromodulation in cortical plasticity and learning
Active Project Grant Awarded Last action
- Award ID
- F31EY038632
- Recipient
-
The Pennsylvania State University UEI NPM2J7MSCF61
- Awarding agency
-
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
- Obligated
- $37,168
Award facts
- Assistance listing
- 93.867 Vision Research
- Completion date 0% complete
- Place of performance
- State College, PA 16802, USA
Award details come from USAspending.gov.
Description
- Abstract
- 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 cortex alters acquisition, discrimination, extinction and reacquisition of learned associations. In the second aim, i will use two- photon microscopy to image astrocytes and neurons throughout associative learning to investigate how astrocytic activity correlates with and causally influences cortical synaptic plasticity during learning. The fellowship training plan emphasizes hands-on experience with two-photon microscopy, chemogenetics, and behavioral analysis. Research will take place in a collaborative neuroscience environment with access to advanced optical and genetic tools. This training will prepare the applicant for an independent research career focused on glia-neuron interactions in synaptic plasticity and learning.
Quick answers
Who received award F31EY038632?
F31EY038632 was awarded to The Pennsylvania State University by National Eye Institute (National Institutes of Health) on May 1, 2027.
How much is award F31EY038632 worth?
$37,168 has been obligated on F31EY038632.
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