# Neural Basis of Behavioral Flexibility

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $370,781

## Abstract

Project Summary
`Degeneracy' in network function has been observed in a number of species. In these situations one
particular pattern of motor activity is encoded by more than one set of cellular and synaptic properties.
A question of general interest is: how does this impact network function? Experiments proposed in
this application will study degeneracy in a multi-tasking network in the context of `task' switching, i.e.,
the cessation of one type of motor program and the initiation of another. We will test a novel
hypothesis that postulates that the ability to `task' switch is determined by the nature of the
mechanisms that are used to pattern activity. In particular, we suggest that this is likely to be the
case in a commonly observed situation, i.e., in the situation where modulatory neurotransmitters play
an important role in configuring neural activity. Effects of modulatory transmitters generally persist,
which creates a form of implicit memory. We suggest that this implicit memory can either impede or
promote task switching. In more specific terms, our experiments are conducted in an experimentally
advantageous network that mediates feeding related behaviors. Our experiments take advantage of
considerable preliminary data that indicate that egestive patterns of motor activity can be induced in
this network in at least two ways, i.e., they are encoded as two distinct sets of cellular and synaptic
properties. Proposed experiments will determine whether this is the case, and will contrast transitions
to ingestive activity from the two types of egestive configurations. We suggest that in one situation the
network will be able to change the nature of the motor program relatively quickly, whereas in the other
situation it will not. We will determine why this is the case in experiments that will analyze underlying
mechanisms at both the circuit and cellular/molecular level. Switches in network activity are important
for the survival of most species. In humans, costs associated with task switching can significantly
impact performance. Nevertheless cellular and molecular mechanisms that facilitate or impede task
switching have not been described. To our knowledge we are the only group working in a tractable
model system that is studying this phenomenon at a cellular/molecular level.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983181
- **Project number:** 5R01NS070583-10
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** ELIZABETH C CROPPER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $370,781
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2010-02-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983181

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983181, Neural Basis of Behavioral Flexibility (5R01NS070583-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983181. Licensed CC0.

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