# Exploring the Contribution of Distinct mPFC Cell-Types to the Encoding of Decision-Making Outcome

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $42,208

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
 Cognitive rigidity is the inability to adapt behavior in a context-dependent manner. A
hallmark of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and
schizophrenia, cognitive rigidity is a debilitating symptom with limited therapeutic tools available
for promoting proper cognitive flexibility1,2. Currently, the field’s understanding of the neural
mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility are limited to several implicated brain regions with
little insight into the how the microcircuitry of these areas contributes to context-dependent rule
switching. Multiple studies point to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as a critical hub for
cognitive flexibility, specifically for its encoding of response and outcome information1,2,3. The
proposed work aims to parse apart how information is encoded in different neuron types, how
disrupting the activity of these neuronal types impacts context-dependent decision making, and
how distinct neurotransmitter signaling onto these cells impacts behavioral flexibility. The
overarching goal is to understand the contributions of multiple cell-types in mPFC to the
updating of response and outcome task variables in response to changing reward
contingencies. Given the advent of genetic tools to target and manipulate genetically-defined
neuronal types in mPFC in mice, the goal of this project is to leverage tools such as calcium
imaging through cortical microprisms, optogenetic silencing of functionally-distinct neuronal
types, and cell-type-specific knockout of key receptors using CRISPR-Cas9 to explore this
microcircuitry.
 I have chosen to pursue this project at UCLA given its vast resources and highly
collaborative environment. Furthermore, the Golshani lab is an optimal setting for completing
the aims in this proposal due to its long history of using various calcium imaging and
optogenetic techniques. With existing access to mentors who are capable in these techniques,
as well as the tools themselves, I will quickly proceed through my proposed training plan and
become a capable systems neuroscientist. With both the support from experienced lab
members as well as the broader UCLA community, I believe that I am well equipped to succeed
and that the additional training and resources facilitated by this award will help me to fulfill my
goal of becoming an independent career scientist with my own lab at an R1 research university.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10997257
- **Project number:** 1F31MH138093-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Douglas Vormstein-Schneider
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $42,208
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-30 → 2027-03-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10997257

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10997257, Exploring the Contribution of Distinct mPFC Cell-Types to the Encoding of Decision-Making Outcome (1F31MH138093-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10997257. Licensed CC0.

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