The decision making process can be traced back to various neuronal levels including molecules, cells, cellular networks, and whole brain areas in humans. Different sorts of feedback based on previous experiences as well as expectations about potential rewards or risks are known to control the release of specific molecules in the brain, collectively referred to as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters in effect modulate neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity in certain parts of the human brain. What is still unclear is how discriminative states occur during the decision-making process in the collective networks of the relevant receptors, cells, circuits, brain areas, etc. The availability of technologies able to measure brain activity in living organisms in a noninvasive fashion provides researchers with tools to obtain comprehensive data sets about the dynamics of neuronal circuits. This project aims to obtain quantitative data on brain dynamics at multiple levels which shall serve as the basis for understanding whole brain function from the underlying organizational levels.

      Neurochoice is an interdisciplinary project, which proposes a multi-level study for tracing the synaptic and neuronal mechanisms underlying decision-making. Bringing together world-leaders in the research areas of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroeconomics, behavioural economics, and computational neuroscience our goal is to identify key processes at specific levels as well as to extract principles that are common to all levels. Using a broad repertoire of electrophysiological, imaging, molecular and behavioural methods we will quantitatively measure and manipulate the collective network dynamics at all levels. Our approach includes experiments in both humans and in rodent models with the aim to bring these two 'worlds' closer together. A particular emphasis will be given to the development of new technologies for comprehensive imaging of large-scale neural network activity and for perturbing network dynamics and biasing decisions on the intermediate scale, which should prove helpful for bridging the gap in our understanding between the cellular and higher levels. Experimental results will be tested against computational models of how collective states emerge in dynamic networks. Theories of neuronal population dynamics, learning, synaptic plasticity and economic games shall provide a common framework to explain the different experimental observations and to link the multiple levels.

  The main objectives of Neurochoice will be addressed in four collaborative subprojects. A core proposition of our proposal is to obtain quantitative data on brain dynamics during behaviour, which in our view is a prerequisite for understanding the emergence of whole brain function from the underlying organizational levels. Specifically, the major topics will be on (1) further development of methods for studies in behaving animals, (2) neuronal ensemble dynamics during decision making tasks, (3) causal interactions among brain areas during such tasks, and (4) mechanisms of decision learning and addiction. These subprojects are further subdivided in several tasks, each of which requires the collaboration of two or more of the participating labs.    

  Neurochoice aims at collecting quantitative and comprehensive data sets about brain dynamics, followed by mathematical modeling of the observed dynamics and specific manipulations of the system in order to falsify particular models. These steps will be repeated in an iterative approach. Most importantly, data collection is carried out on the intact, functioning system, which for the brain implies experiments on behaving animals or subjects. This project can be seen as a natural expansion of traditional systems biology from a purely molecular level towards higher levels of biological organization, which become accessible through the ongoing progress in experimental technology and available computational power. 

Neurochoice will produce large added values for Swiss research. It will catalyze interdisciplinary collaborations within the country, strengthen the international competitiveness of the participating research groups, and offer an extensive and broad training for doctoral students. The project is of highest significance, both for gaining fundamental insights into basic neural mechanisms as well as for a detailed understanding of some of the most prevalent brain diseases, such as depression or addiction.       

• Publications by Neurochoice
• Publications by SystemsX.ch (overview)