Emotional aspects of event learning in rats: Characterization and neural basis (B13)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2013 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 36555331

Event learning consists of different learning phenomena with very different emotional and behavior consequences: fear learning, relief learning and safety learning. In the proposed project, we want to characterize these three learning phenomena in laboratory rodents, investigate their neural basis and dissociate them from each other. Since fear learning is already well investigated, we want to focus on relief and safety learning. Beside the neural, pharmacological, molecular and genetic basis of event learning, we are also interested in the question how trait anxiety affects event learning and related cognitive flexibility.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 779: Neurobiology of Motivated Behaviour
• Applicant Institution: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Markus Fendt; Dr. Jürgen Goldschmidt