Interaction of sensory and reinforcement-evaluating brain systems in auditory learning (B01)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2008 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 36555331

This project investigates in two rodent models (mouse, Mongolian gerbil) the role and function of sensory systems (especially auditory cortex) and reinforcement-evaluating systems (especially corpus striatum, ventral tegmental area, lateral habenula) and their interaction in three learning paradigms (sensory preconditioning, classical Pavlovian conditioning, and operant conditioning) that differ from each other with respect to the nature and degree of motivation involved. Central aims are the investigation of (1) the functional role of corticothalamic interactions using electrophysiological methods, as well as (2) the mechanisms of motivation-dependent modulation of cortical activity using a combination of intracranial electrical stimulation, pharmacological manipulation, current-source density analysis and behavioral experiments.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 779: Neurobiology of Motivated Behaviour
• Applicant Institution: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Leibniz-Institut für Neurobiologie (LIN)
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Frank W. Ohl