Cellular mechanisms of lesion-induced pretectal visuo-motor plasticity in adult zebrafish (A12)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells ; Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2014 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 118803580

The horizontal optokinetic reflex in zebrafish is direction-specifically impaired after a unilateral stab wound injury of a pretectal nucleus that causes cell death in this area. The lack of recovery in 70% of the animals suggests a differential activation of cellular reactions and reorganization of sensory weighting. This proposal aims to decipher post-lesional processes such as neurogenesis, inflammation, glial reactivity and sensory substitution in regeneration-competent and incompetent groups. The outcome will reveal the role of cellular/molecular alterations and principles of cross-modal plasticity for a functional recovery after brain injury.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 870: Assembly and Function of Neuronal Circuits in Sensory Processing
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Jovica Ninkovic; Professor Dr. Hans Straka (†)