PHARMACO-FMRI

The interplay between the appetitive dopaminergic and the aversive serotonergic system in motivational control of behavior

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The impact of reward and punishment on behavior is modulated by the neurotransmitters (chemicals that influence signal transfer between neurons) dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT). This project tests a new model of the interplay between DA and 5-HT in motivational control of behavior, by studying the effects of DA and 5-HT increasing drugs on motivational learning and brain activation. Blood oxygen level dependent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BOLD fMRI), a method often used to measure brain activity, is not adequate to assess drug-induced changes in brain activity. In this project new and promising fMRI techniques are used: arterial spin labeling (ASL) and calibrated BOLD fMRI. The results of this project are important for improving methodology in pharmacological fMRI research and may lead to improved treatment for psychiatric patients. The applicant will work for two years (outgoing phase) at the Center for Functional MRI, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), USA. Dr. T. Liu and his colleagues are world leading in the use and development of the abovementioned advanced fMRI techniques. Prof. M. Paulus of the Department of Psychiatry, UCSD, will collaborate on this project. During the return phase, the applicant will work at the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands, which houses experts in the field of psychopharmacology and toxicology of behavior. This collaboration results in a multidisciplinary research team of experts with excellent training records. The applicant has shown the potential to become a senior researcher. This fellowship will provide the applicant with goal-oriented training, the opportunity to develop complementary skills and to build an international network. The fellowship will make a major contribution to the applicant’s career and to the EU scientific excellence and competitiveness in the field of pharmacological neuroimaging.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded project is currently investigating the relationship between dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT), and how these hormones enable appropriate behaviour.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Usually, good behaviour that allows us to adapt to a changing environment is rewarded, while inappropriate behaviour is punished. The neurotransmitters DA and 5-HT modulate the impact of reward and punishment, respectively, on our behaviour.

In order to better understand how these hormones interact to affect the motivational control of behaviour, the PHARMACO-FMRI project was established. The project is a multidisciplinary study bringing together individuals with expertise in the psychopharmacology and toxicology of behaviour. Scientists skilled in the use and development of advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques are also involved.

The team is studying the effects of drug-induced changes in DA and 5-HT on motivational learning and brain activation. The drugs they are using are methylphenidate (Ritalin) and escitalopram (Lexapro), which cause an increase in DA and 5-HT production.

Project partners are comparing brain activity under drug-induced conditions and under placebo conditions. Researchers are also in the process of testing new fMRI techniques, including arterial spin labelling (ASL) and calibrated BOLD fMRI to measure brain activity.

Research results are expected to increase understanding of the roles that DA and 5-HT play in motivational learning. In addition, they may help to improve the methodology used in pharmacological fMRI research and lead to improved treatment for psychiatric patients.