Striatal synaptic plasticity and procedural learning, by Laurent Venance

Abstract Striatal synaptic plasticity and procedural learning

Our main interest is how neural networks of the brain support its cognitive capacities. We are focusing on the procedural learning, i.e. the acquisition of skills through repeated performance and practice of a behavior in response to external cues. Cortex/thamus-basal ganglia loops are involved in the adaptive control of behavior and are the main substrate for procedural learning. Our main focus is about the role of the striatum, the primary input nucleus of basal ganglia, which is a strategic gate extracting pertinent information and a major site of memory formation. Cortico- and thalamo-striatal long-term synaptic plasticity provides a fundamental mechanism for the function of the basal ganglia in action selection and in procedural learning. Thus, characterizing striatal plasticity repertoire and maps at play in physiological and pathophysiological conditions is crucial. I will detail the repertoire of (spike-timing-dependent) plasticity and its conditions of emergence to support various steps of procedural learning.

Laurent Vanance’s short biography

Current Position      

Director of Research at INSERM

Group leader of Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neural Networks, CIRB, Collège de France.

Research & academic experience

2009    promoted Research Full Professor : Director of Research Inserm (DR2)

2005    HDR in Neurosciences, University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI).

1998    Permanent position (research fellow 2^nd class)

1996-1998 Post-doctorant in Pr. P Seeburg lab Max-Planck Institut, Heidelberg (Germany).

1996    PhD in Neurosciences obtained at the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI)

1993    Magistère in Biochemistry, University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI).

Committees

Member of the Academic Senate of Paris-Sciences&Lettres PSL-University

Member of the standing committee Research and Graduate Program PSL-University

Member of the scientific board of Fondation de France (Parkinson’s disease)

Member of the scientific board of Federation de la Recherche sur le Cerveau

Member of the scientific board of Ateliers Inserm

Member of the scientific board of France Parkinson

Member of the directory board of the Neuroscience School of Paris (ENP)

Health pass and mask are required