Transient activation of dopaminergic neurons during development modulates visual responsiveness, locomotion and brain activity in a dopamine ontogeny model of schizophrenia

It has been observed that certain developmental environmental risk factors for schizophrenia when modeled in rodents alter the trajectory of dopaminergic development, leading to persistent behavioural changes in adults. This has recently been articulated as the "dopamine ontogeny hypothesis of schizophrenia". To test one aspect of this hypothesis, namely that transient dopaminergic effects during development modulate attention-like behavior and arousal in adults, we turned to a small-brain model, Drosophila melanogaster. By applying genetic tools allowing transient activation or silencing of dopaminergic neurons in the fly brain, we investigated whether a critical window exists during development when altered dopamine (DA) activity levels could lead to impairments in arousal states in adult animals. We found that increased activity in dopaminergic neurons in later stages of development significantly increased visual responsiveness and locomotion, especially in adult males. This misallocation of visual salience and hyperactivity mimicked the effect of acute methamphetamine feeding to adult flies, suggesting up-regulated DA signaling could result from developmental manipulations. Finally, brain recordings revealed significantly reduced gamma-band activity in adult animals exposed to the transient developmental insult. Together, these data support the idea that transient alterations in DA signaling during development can permanently alter behavior in adults, and that a reductionist model such as Drosophila can be used to investigate potential mechanisms underlying complex cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia

How to foster the sustainable energy transition of communities

The sustainable energy transition of communities is one of the main targets within the European energy policies. Consistent energy planning is needed but conditioned by difficulties of city administrations to meet the necessary skills and have the necessary knowledge in order to lead the corresponding transition processes. R4E develops roadmapping capacities of 8 European partner cities (Eindhoven, Forlì, Istanbul, Newcastle, Murcia, Palermo, Sant Cugat and Tallinn) together with their local stakeholders, and provides them with the necessary knowledge about innovative energy solutions in the fields of smart buildings, smart mobility and smart urban spaces. A specific systemic approach to these future energy solutions has been developed, based on so-called Systemic Solutions Maps, in order to strengthen the capacities of the participating stakeholders in designing detailed roadmaps and developing together with the city authorities specific project portfolios

Roadmaps for Energy (R4E)::a systemic approach to the renewable energy transition of smart communities

he sustainable energy transition of communities is one of the main targets within the European energy policies. Consistent energy planning is needed but conditioned by difficulties of city administrations to meet the necessary skills and have the necessary knowledge in order to lead the corresponding transition processes.\u3cbr/\u3e\u3cbr/\u3eThe R4E project (www.roadmapsforenergy.eu) responds to the EE-07-2014 call entitled “Enhancing the capacity of public authorities to plan and implement sustainable energy policies and measures” within the Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy Work Programme of HORIZON 2020 of the European Commission\u3cbr/\u3e\u3cbr/\u3eR4E develops roadmapping capacities of 8 European partner cities (Eindhoven, Forlì, Istanbul, Newcastle, Murcia, Palermo, Sant Cugat and Tallinn) together with their local stakeholders, and provides them with the necessary knowledge about innovative energy solutions in the fields of smart buildings, smart mobility and smart urban spaces.\u3cbr/\u3e\u3cbr/\u3eA specific systemic approach to these future energy solutions has been developed, based on Deskstudies, Experts interviews and resulting Generic Roadmaps.\u3cbr/\u3e\u3cbr/\u3eThe Deskstudies consist in Systemic Solution Maps, Technology Outlooks and Case Studies building a systemic knowledge generation tool for participants in multi-stakeholder processes. First applications and the feedback of stakeholders of city partners will be presented at the conference, discussing the usefulness of the approach for the city partners.\u3cbr/\u3e\u3cbr/\u3eThe R4E project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement Nº 649397

Population-scale organization of cerebellar granule neuron signaling during a visuomotor behavior

Abstract Granule cells at the input layer of the cerebellum comprise over half the neurons in the human brain and are thought to be critical for learning. However, little is known about granule neuron signaling at the population scale during behavior. We used calcium imaging in awake zebrafish during optokinetic behavior to record transgenically identified granule neurons throughout a cerebellar population. A significant fraction of the population was responsive at any given time. In contrast to core precerebellar populations, granule neuron responses were relatively heterogeneous, with variation in the degree of rectification and the balance of positive versus negative changes in activity. Functional correlations were strongest for nearby cells, with weak spatial gradients in the degree of rectification and the average sign of response. These data open a new window upon cerebellar function and suggest granule layer signals represent elementary building blocks under-represented in core sensorimotor pathways, thereby enabling the construction of novel patterns of activity for learning