Interaction of sensory and reinforcement-evaluating systems in auditory learning

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 prefrontal cortex, corpus striatum, ventral tegmental area, lateral habenula) and their interaction in differently motivated forms of learning. The central aim is the elucidation of neuronal mechanisms underlying the evaluation of sensory information and of behavioral feedback in motivation-controlled learning, and the dissociation of these mechanisms from those occurring with associative learning independent of behavior.

B01 Publications