Basal Gang v3.0: Approche systémique de la boucle extrapyramidale (Systemic Approach to the Cortex-Basal Ganglia Loop)

Scientific and technical expertise:

We address the high level complexity of the system consisting of the basal ganglia (BG), the thalamus and frontal cortical areas into a functional loop we call the cortex-basal ganglia loop. Our approach is inspired by systemic analysis of dynamic systems which consists of i) focusing on exchanges between each part of the system instead of their independent analysis, ii) searching for the possible steady states and iii) determining whole system function. We combine theoretical modeling and up to date experimental approaches into this conceptual framework. Our experimental approach ranges from single electrode recording in anaesthetized rats under pharmacological manipulation to multiple electrode recordings in freely moving, behaving animals (monkeys and rodents). In the next four years, We will specifically address the following areas: i) the evolution of the dynamic properties of the CBG loop according to physiological and pathophysiological conditions of the system and ii)  the role of the BG in the various decision making process.

 

Research Projects:

• Dynamic Approach to the CBG Loop: We characterize the steady states of the system in different experimental conditions (normal condition, Parkinson's disease, L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia, deep brain stimulation, etc…).
• Neuromodulation of the CBG loop: We study the influence of catecholamine neuromodulators on the dynamic properties of the network.
• Physiology of decision making: We address here the decision making process as an emerging property of the CBG loop. We analyze the interaction between this network and other learning networks (such as the limbic system). The pathophysiological aspect is also considered, especially cognitive disorders associated with CBG pathologies.

 

Team Leader : Thomas Boraud

 

Methodological Approaches:

Our studies are guided by a theoretical approach performed a priori and secondarily refined according to experimental data. We use computational methods based on systemic physics and specifically study the dynamical properties of the networks. This work is done by computational neuroscientists (Andre Garenne and Martin Guthrie) in close collaboration with theoreticians (David Hansel, Yonatan Loewesteïn, Frédéric Alexandre). Our experimental approaches range from juxtacellular recording in anaesthetized animals (François Gonon, Bérangère Ballion) to multiple electrode recordings in awake and behaving animals (Stephanie Etienne, Thomas Boraud). In order to analyze the huge quantity of data generated by our multiple electrode recordings, we have also developed our own analysis tools (André Garenne).

People:

• Thomas Boraud (DR2 CNRS)
• André Garenne (MCU Université Bordeaux 2)
•  François Gonon (DR2 CNRS)
• Martin Guthrie (Post-doc Université Bordeaux 2)
• Bérangère Ballion (Post-doc FRM)
• Aude Retailleau (Post-doc CNRS)
• Camille Piron (PhD Student)
• Stéphanie Etienne (PhD Student)

 

FENS Themes:

Cognition & Behavior/Motivation & Emotion; Cognition & Behavior/Decision making; Neurological and Psychiatric conditions/Neurodegenerative diseases; Motor system/Basal Ganglia; Learning & memory/hippocampus.

 

Keywords:

Decision Making; Motor Control; Dopamine; Dyskinesia; Basal Ganglia; Animal Model, Neurophysiology, Parkinson's Disease, Primate, Decision Making, Network Dynamic.

 

Research Network - Active Collaborations:

• David Hansel (UMR CNRS 8119, Paris)
• Frédéric Alexandre (LORIA, Nancy)
• Yonatan Loewensteïn (HUJI, Jerusalem, Israel)
• Astushi Nambu (NIPS, Okazaki, Japan)
• Shintaro Funahashi (University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan)

Contracts:

•  Région Aquitaine – 2010 (PI)

•  Programme Interdisciplinaire du CNRS NeuroInformatique – 2010-2011 (Co-PI)

•  ANR-JC - 2008-2011 (Co-PI)

•  ANR- MNP - 2009-2013 (PI)

•  ANR-SYSCOM - 2009-2012 (Co-I)

•  ANR-STSS - 2009-2011 (Co-I)

 

Contact:

Please contact Dr Thomas Boraud directly for information concerning our research or availability of positions.

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