SSA: Probing the function of dopaminergic inputs to the cerebellum

"Shall I go and get something to eat?" At some point in the past few hours, this question may have crossed your mind.
Our ability to move directedly towards our goals, and the motivational decisions that regulate these movements, define
almost every aspect of our lives. However, understanding these signals remains a central challenge in neuroscience.
Furthermore, this knowledge is critical for developing new therapies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders in
which these processes malfunction, such as Parkinson's, OCD, and depression.
Recent evidence has uncovered new connections between two major brain centres involved in movement and
motivational learning, the cerebellum and dopaminergic regions of the basal ganglia. This discovery is important, because
although these brain areas are involved in related functions, it has previously been thought that they work independently.
Therefore, revealing the function of these newly discovered connections could hold a key to understanding how
movements are generated and why we choose to move.
To tackle these fundamental questions, this project will use state of the art in vivo brain imaging, animal behaviour, and
anatomical techniques, combined with computational models, to investigate the functional role of connections between
the basal ganglia and cerebellum. We will use viral tracing strategies to uncover the identity and nature of the neurons
involved and then use imaging techniques and opto/chemogenetic strategies to investigate their activity and role during
different types of behaviour.