Description

Sensorimotor signals are key to redefine neuronal circuits early in life, and are later used to guide behavior, selecting the most appropriate action in a given situation. Importantly, ongoing behavior also influences sensory processing and perception. In this symposium, we will focus on how our brain integrates external and internal information to drive behavior.
When animals first start to interact with their environment, there is profound remodeling and rewiring of the cerebellar cortex. João Peça’s work will show that microglia play a crucial role in pruning this circuit in postnatal development. Challenging microglia during, but not after this critical period, produces long-term consequences in cerebellar connectivity and persistent changes in motor behavior and cognitive function.
Next, Megan Carey will show that ongoing behavior can influence individual’s ability to learn. Locomotor activity enhances delay eyeblink conditioning, a form of cerebellum-dependent associative learning. This suggests that the behavioral state is a strong modulator of learning.
To finalize, Ana J Rodrigues will provide data on how our brain integrates external (sensory information/cues) and internal signals (motivation) to drive appetitive or aversive responses (approach/avoid, respectively).
This symposium will be of great relevance to those interested in neuronal circuits and behavior, both from the conceptual but also technical point of view.