Serotonergic modulation of prefrontal cortex neuronal excitation in postnatal development

• Grant number: 23/14230-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Biophysics of Processes and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Roberto De Pasquale
• Grantee: Emily Cruvinel dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/21584-5 - Serotonergic modulation of medial prefrontal cortex and early life stress, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a region involved in the planning of cognitive behaviors, emotional responses, and decision-making. An important part of the development of this cortical area occurs during the early postnatal period. In rodents, this phase corresponds to the first three weeks of life. During this period, PFC neurons exhibit high excitability and develop endogenous waves of excitatory activity. It is believed that these properties play a crucial role in the formation of new synaptic connections and the definition of primary circuits, with consequences that also impact adult life. Serotonin (5-HT) stands out among the factors that could play an important role in this process. Its receptors directly influence excitability, altering ionic conductance, and also affect the mechanisms of synaptic potentiation that are necessary for the formation of new synapses. This project aims to use intracellular electrophysiological recording techniques to study the effects of 5-HT on the excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons of the PFC during postnatal development.