Evaluation, exploration and action: The role of the PPN (A11)

• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 36555331

The project tests the hypothesis that the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is involved in motivationalprocesses. Using functional neuroimaging and recordings of PPN field potentials in patients receivingPPN stimulation for clinical purposes, it will be assessed whether the PPN codes contextual relationsof sensory stimuli (e.g. in multimodal integration, conditioning) and/or associations between cue,action and consequences. Here, contrasting behavioral data obtained with PPN stimulation on vs. offwill differentiate whether the PPN is causally involved in these processes.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 779: Neurobiology of Motivated Behaviour
• Applicant Institution: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Hans-Jochen Heinze; Dr. Christian Kluge; Professor Dr. Jürgen Voges