Olfactory plasticity for adaptation and learning

Neurons can modify themselves in response to environmental changes in a process called neuronal plasticity, which is thought to be the basis of adaptation and associative learning. The different cellular mechanisms of adaptive and associative neuronal plasticity have been extensively studied, but largely in isolation. Little is known about how they combine within individual cell types and neural circuits to influence neuronal activity and, ultimately, behavioural stability as well as learning. Using a multidisciplinary approach and focusing on the mouse olfactory system, we will investigate how sensory-induced plastic changes are employed to generate appropriate neuronal outputs at the cellular, circuit and behavioural level. We will perturb the olfactory landscape to trigger adaptive responses (sensory deprivation or enrichment), or associative olfactory learning (discrimination of different odours or odour concentrations). We will take advantage of the mouse genetic toolbox and newly-developed optical and behavioural methods to investigate how olfactory bulb neurons change, and how plasticity at the cellular level impacts overall network computation. By integrating these approaches, we will provide a multi-level synthesis of how a defined circuit responds to environmental changes. This will enhance our understanding of the fundamental principles of how the brain controls behaviour for both adaptation and learning.