Linking microscale and macroscale changes in brain activity under the influence of psychedelics

Psychedelic substances, known to human societies for millennia, result in profound alterations of our state of consciousness. The way these drugs operate is far from understood, although in the last few decades significant progress has been made. Most of the research focused on the cellular mechanisms of action of such drugs, elucidating the receptors and molecular pathways that are involved. However, knowing how a neuron is affected when considered in isolation does not explain how the drug affects the intact brain, where neurons are highly interconnected.

The aim of the present project is to further the systems-level understanding of the changes in cortical activity under the effect of classical psychedelics, exerted by activation of serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors. Our specific objective is to link the changes in spontaneous activity produced by 5-HT2A agonists at the level of single neurons to macroscale changes in brain activity. Towards this end, we will use high-density multi-electrode arrays, widefield imaging and advanced computational methods to examine brain activity in mice given psychedelic drugs.

The PhD student will gain expertise in cutting-edge methods in systems and computational neuroscience and will help advance our understanding of a fundamental question at the intersection of neuropharmacology and systems neuroscience.