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Translational research is crucial for developing our understanding of the normal and diseased brain. Studies in humans have identified key brain areas involved in regulating cognitive function. Testing how these areas are involved in behaviour can be achieved using animal models and direct manipulation of the brain using types of lesions or targeted drug infusions. Although these methods have provided extensive and valuable information, they have their limitations. We propose to test an alternat ive method for altering neuronal activity in the rat prefrontal cortex using a lentiviral vector expressing a potassium channel. This project will determine the effects of targeted hyperpolarision of regions of the mPFC, the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices and performance in the 5-choice serial reaction time task to measure sustained attention and executive processes in rats. A novel viral construct, designed to selectively hyperpolarise GABAergic neurones and reduce inhibitory transmission in the mPFC will also be developed and tested. The results will further our understanding of the functional roles mediated by the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices in relation cognitive processes and impulse control. They will also develop and test the application of an exciting technology with potential applications across the spectrum of behavioural neuroscience research.