Abnormal reorganization of prefrontal-hippocampal networks during juvenile development and resulting cognitive impairment in mental illness (B05)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2011 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178316478

Prefrontal-hippocampal dysfunction is considered as main cause of cognitive deficits in mental disorders, yet its ontogeny and mechanisms throughout life are still largely unknown. Using mouse models that mimic the etiology and symptoms of schizophrenia, we showed during the first two funding periods that, shortly after birth, the long-range coupling between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus is reduced due to structural and functional deficits of specific neuronal populations. Preliminary data identified juvenile age as an additional period of high vulnerability for disease. Here, we will elucidate the cellular substrate of juvenile prefrontal-hippocampal miswiring leading to poorer cognitive performance and identify electrophysiological markers of dysfunction common to mice and prodromal humans.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 936: Multi-Site Communication in the Brain
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz