# Emergence of activity patterns in the cerebral cortex and their influence on brain circuit development and function

> **NIH NIH DP1** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $1,102,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Brain function requires coordinated activation of specific networks engaged in systems that process
information in localised and distributed manners. In order to develop such specific networks, the brain
engages groups of neurons that fire together in ensembles that can be observed with calcium imaging.
Patterns of spontaneous activity in the cerebral cortex are thought to enable the formation of circuits
specialised for processing different types of sensory information. How the brain first switches on activity across
areas is unknown. I propose to investigate exactly how and when in fetal life these patterns first occur in vivo,
what regulates their development, and how they shape neural circuits and later brain function. A major barrier
to addressing this question has been that patterns of activity such as patchwork-type activity in S1 and
travelling waves in V1 are present at birth in rodents making it difficult to study this question in vivo as the
brain apparently switches on before birth. To address this, I propose to apply modern scientific tools and
technologies to an Australian marsupial mammal: the fat-tailed dunnart (S. crassicaudata; Dasyuridae),
thereby developing a new approach for investigating brain development. Dunnarts are small (adults weigh
~15g), carnivorous animals whose pups (joeys) are born at an equivalent stage of development to embryonic
day 10 in mouse or seven-week gestation in humans, and therefore most of their brain development occurs as
they develop inside their mother's pouch. Despite this more primitive developmental phase, dunnarts have a
six-layered cerebral cortex which is similar to a mouse but with advantageous exceptions such as a more
advanced binocular visual system. Dunnarts are also able to solve complex configurable problems and learn
quickly. To ensure feasibility of this project, I provide evidence that we can use targeted electroporation to
introduce sensitive calcium indicators such as GCaMP6S into the cortex. In preliminary experiments we find
that patchwork-type activity in S1 and traveling waves in V1 are evolutionarily conserved in dunnarts,
motivating this new direction of my research to understand the development and function of these patterns of
spontaneous activity. Having access to study the entire genesis and development of these patterns enables
longitudinal studies that can link cells, circuits and behavior/function. The creation of longitudinal imaging
capabilities bridging micro/meso/macro scales as well as awake behavior across the lifespan will be required
in order to identify which neuronal cell types initiate spontaneous synchronous activity and whether these
activity patterns are instructive in forming functionally-specific circuits. I will also explore how spontaneous
activity in the cortex evolves throughout life as circuits begin to function to mediate sensory experience and
behavioural reactions. I
ensembles
knowledge
propose that by understanding th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10261859
- **Project number:** 1DP1NS127279-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Linda J Richards
- **Activity code:** DP1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,102,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10261859

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10261859, Emergence of activity patterns in the cerebral cortex and their influence on brain circuit development and function (1DP1NS127279-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10261859. Licensed CC0.

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