Functional whole-brain connectivity maps of sleep-regulating circuits

• Applicant: Dr. Ulrich Herget
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2016 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 321154723

The neuronal regulation of sleep remains elusive due in part to the complexity of mammalian brains and their poor amenability for in vivo imaging. Zebrafish larvae, in contrast, are a relatively new model system and allow transgenic activation, inhibition, ablation and visualization of entire neurons in intact animals. The Prober lab has identified neuropeptide VF, pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide, and prokineticin2 as novel candidate genes potentially regulating sleep. In Aim 1, I will determine whether optogenetic or pharmacological stimulation of neurons producing these peptides promotes sleep, and if ablation or inhibition of these cells promotes wake. This will clarify the functional involvement of each of the three peptides in sleep/wake regulation. In Aim 2, I will determine whether sleep/wake regulation is executed via common or different neuronal circuits using whole-brain calcium imaging, marker staining, and 3D registration techniques to identify downstream target cells during stimulation or inhibition of the three cell types. The results of this project will broaden our functional understanding of the peptides and neuronal pathways of sleep/wake regulation in diurnal vertebrates.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor David Prober, Ph.D.