Ricerc@Sapienza

Keeping in mind the promising results of the presenters of this proposal (Babiloni et al., 2012; Del Percio et al., 2017, 2018, 2020; Imbriglio et al., 2019; Lopez et al., 2020; Corsi et al., 2021), we propose to set up a new research platform for Sapienza University of Rome, namely the acquisition of an advanced system for simultaneous video-EEG recordings in two mice (i.e., a couple formed by an experimental and a control mouse) and automated data analysis. More specifically, the new interdepartmental platform would allow what follows:
(1) The simultaneous recording of videos, EEG (three channels) and electromyographic (EMG) signals in two mice (control and experimental groups) over 24 hours from two cages;
(2) The automatic analysis of the videos by a software-based automated quantification of animal movements and a software-based automatic classification of the behavioural conditions of the mice (e.g., passive wake, active wake, NREM sleep, and REM sleep) from EEG, EMG, and video-recordings.
Such a new platform may be used to investigate ongoing EEG rhythms in the passive wake, exploratory movements, and sleep (NREM-REM) conditions to study:
(1) The effects of inflammatory, amyloidosis, and neurodegenerative processes (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, diseases affecting the neuroimmune system, etc.) on EEG activity reflecting the neurophysiological ascending oscillatory cerebral systems regulating wake-sleep cycle and vigilance in mice;
(2) The modulation of those systems and cognitive-motor indexes by new drugs and interventions.