Department Neuroscience
Principal investigator Vincenzo Romano
E-mail address v.romano@erasmusmc.nl
Website https://neuro.nl/person/Vincenzo-Romano
Cerebrocerebellar interactions underlying the coordination of complex behaviour
Supervisor: Vincenzo Romano, v.romano@erasmusmc.nl
To make precise movements, our big and small brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) exchange electrical signals. Thus far, studies have examined the big and small brain separately, or in relation to one body part. Therefore, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how we control simultaneous movements in multiple body parts. This project hypothesis is that signals travel back and forth between the big and small brain at different stages of movement. With the technologies I develop, I aim to reveal how these two brain cortices work together during natural behaviour, deepening our understanding of neurological conditions.
Techniques
Analysis of neuronal signal and mouse movement in several behavioural conditions to determine the relation between the two. Formulate a prediction of the motor control mechanism. Optogenetic manipulation of the neuronal activity to verify the prediction. At the end of the internship, the student will master the most common data analysis methods to explore complex datasets, extrapolate relevant results and assess the significance of effects. This knowledge can then be used for neuroscientific or general data analyses.
Further reading
Olivocerebellar control of movement symmetry
Purkinje Cell Activity Resonation Generates Rhythmic Behaviors at the Preferred Frequency of 8 Hz