The ultimate level of research is how neuronal dynamics drive behavior. To investigate this issue, we use calcium imaging associated with miniscope implants, which minimally interfere with mice behavior. This allows us to record neuronal activity as calcium transients in hundreds of neurons simultaneously, in specific brain regions of choice. The use of a behavioral tracking system allows the correlation of neuronal activity with the behavior. This is the most recent technique acquired in the lab and we are currently applying it to investigate the cerebellar role in the emotional system. Specifically, we are using the behavioral paradigm of fear conditioning, a well-known tool to investigate the emotional processing in rodents, while simultaneously monitoring the activity of several neurons in the prefrontal cortex. The cerebellar contribution to prefrontal cortex activity and behavior is investigated by activating or inhibiting specific cerebellar regions using DREADDs.
This technique is also applied to investigate alterations in neuronal activity and behavior in animal models of central nervous system diseases (see the dedicated section).
A PhD student involved in this research topic will have the opportunity to learn how to work with mice in freely moving conditions, for behavioral testing and brain regions activity recordings using calcium imaging. This technique represents one of the state-of-the-art tools to study how neurons operate during specific behavioral tasks and, combined with the other levels of research in the lab, allows us to investigate how the micro- and meso-scale properties of neurons and networks impact on the awake brain activity and behavior.
References
Ciapponi C, Li Y, Osorio Becerra DA, Rodarie D, Casellato C, Mapelli L, D’Angelo E. Variations on the theme: focus on cerebellum and emotional processing. Front Syst Neurosci. 2023 May 10;17:1185752. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1185752. PMID: 37234065; PMCID: PMC10206087.