How the brain learns and uses inhibitory predictions. Humans and other animals readily learn about cues and actions that predict the absence of important events. Yet, how and where such inhibitory predictions are processed in the mammalian brain remains unclear. This project aims to demonstrate that inhibitory predictions are generally encoded and retrieved in the medial prefrontal cortex, without any detailed information about the absent events. It combines a unique behavioural approach with th ....How the brain learns and uses inhibitory predictions. Humans and other animals readily learn about cues and actions that predict the absence of important events. Yet, how and where such inhibitory predictions are processed in the mammalian brain remains unclear. This project aims to demonstrate that inhibitory predictions are generally encoded and retrieved in the medial prefrontal cortex, without any detailed information about the absent events. It combines a unique behavioural approach with the latest tools for manipulation of brain activity in behaving rodents. The project expects to generate new insights into how the mammalian brain extracts inhibitory predictions from the environment to guide our behaviours and decisions in the most optimal way.Read moreRead less
The neurobiology of curiosity. This project aims to define the neurobiology of curiosity by combining cutting-edge techniques in computational modelling, pharmacointervention and neuroimaging. It is expected to lead to a comprehensive neuroscientific framework of curiosity, which will characterise its evolution over the lifespan, and its dependency on key neurotransmitter systems. Expected outcomes include a legacy of open access stimulus & data sets; the development of a global collaborative ne ....The neurobiology of curiosity. This project aims to define the neurobiology of curiosity by combining cutting-edge techniques in computational modelling, pharmacointervention and neuroimaging. It is expected to lead to a comprehensive neuroscientific framework of curiosity, which will characterise its evolution over the lifespan, and its dependency on key neurotransmitter systems. Expected outcomes include a legacy of open access stimulus & data sets; the development of a global collaborative network; and an increase in our national capacity and profile in decision neuroscience. The benefits of this project include laying the foundations for future interventions to improve curiosity, with potential downstream effects on many aspects of education, social & public policy.Read moreRead less
Prefrontal dopamine in the dynamic processes of learning across lifetime. To facilitate age-specific adaptive action in a changing environment, how we learn changes not only as we grow, but also as we age. However, the neurobiological processes in these age-related changes are poorly studied. This is a significant knowledge gap that needs to be addressed to promote healthy cognitive development and ageing. This research program aims to examine the contribution of prefrontal dopamine and its rece ....Prefrontal dopamine in the dynamic processes of learning across lifetime. To facilitate age-specific adaptive action in a changing environment, how we learn changes not only as we grow, but also as we age. However, the neurobiological processes in these age-related changes are poorly studied. This is a significant knowledge gap that needs to be addressed to promote healthy cognitive development and ageing. This research program aims to examine the contribution of prefrontal dopamine and its receptors D1 and D2 in associative learning and its inhibition at 9 distinct ages spanning development to ageing in male and female rats. The outcomes will provide a new neuroscientific framework to understand learning and memory throughout life, which will foster new research opportunities and inform our education and health.Read moreRead less