ERC

This project focuses on the neural basis of long term behavioral change. By combining the behavioral paradigm of the cue approach task (Schonberg et al., 2014) and advanced non-invasive imaging methods (mainly but not only diffusion MRI and fMRI), we are investigating the structural and functional neuroplasticity, which accompanies this change in preferences and choice behavior, both in the short and the long term. The goal is to better understand how we learn (particularly learning through associations and non-reinforced learning), how preferences are performed and which structural and functional brain changes reflect these behaviors.

Using fMRI we aim to uncover underlying plasticity processes induced by CAT with faces.

This project focuses on human (mal) adaptive eating behavior. Every day, people choose to eat unhealthy food, despite being aware of severely damaging consequences, such as diabetes and heart disease. Many remain captives by primal behavior, despite technological and scientific advances of our time, even despite their own better judgment. We study the neural and behavioral processes of decision making, with emphasis on the comparison of different behavioral change interventions, and the exploration of sensory vs. value representations of tastes. We believe the key to effective interventions is understanding such behaviors. This way we can help people regain control of their well-being.

This project focuses on characterizing the formation and manifestation of habits in humans. We are particularly interested in the transition from goal-directed to habitual action control (through repetitive training). We use behavioral, physiological and multi-modal MRI methods in a well-powered sample. Specifically, we try to (1) replicate the substantial neurobehavioral findings of Tricomi et al. (2009), to date the only study that has demonstrated habit formation through repetitive training, (2) test for functional and microstructural neuroplasticity associated with habit formation and manifestation, (3) investigate the relationships between similar functional and microstructural plasticity and individual habit expression, and (4) try to predict individual tendency to form habits based on functional networks (at resting state). This study has been granted an “in principle acceptance” for a special registered report volume in Neuroimage.