The role of the reward system in obesity- and ageing-associated changes of motor behaviours (A03)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431549029

Project A04 explores the impact of motivation and reward on neural signalling driving locomotor behaviour in mice. Circuit mechanisms, neuronal dynamics, and behavioural functions of the ventral tegmental area and lateral hypothalamus interactions will be investigated during free-choice and food-directed locomotion in health, ageing, and obesity using calcium imaging, optogenetics, and dual-site electrophysiological recordings. This project will help to understand hedonic aspects of motor functions, and how alterations of reward-related processing in obesity and ageing lead to reduced motor activity.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1451: Key mechanisms of motor control in health and disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Tatiana Korotkova