The impact of stress on the coupling of action and valence in instrumental learning

• Applicant: Dr. Anni Richter
• Subject Area: Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 392932471

Efficient decision making requires that an individual selects responses that maximize reward or gain and minimize punishment or loss (Boksem et al., 2008; Guitart-Masip et al., 2012b; Wrase et al., 2007). Such motivated behavior involves two fundamental axes of control, namely valence - spanning reward and punishment, and action - spanning invigoration and inhibition. Previous studies have shown that these two axes are not independent (Cavanagh et al., 2013; Chowdhury et al., 2013; Guitart-Masip et al., 2013; Richter et al., 2014). In search for neural mechanisms underlying this behavioral asymmetry in the coupling between action and valence, we could show in a previous study that dopaminergic neuromodulation is a prime candidate (Richter et al., 2014). Besides genetic predisposition also environmental factors could guide the tendency to stereotyped responses. Behavioral and imaging studies have shown that stress, both chronic and acute, can shape behavior towards habitual responses (Dias-Ferreira et al., 2009; Schwabe & Wolf, 2009, 2010). My pilot study with a stress questionnaire could give first hints that stress may shift instrumental learning to stereotyped responses and increase the coupling of action and valence. As the questionnaire approach does not allow causal conclusions, the three month internship at Karolinska Institute Stockholm (Group of Marc Guitart-Masip) should be used to design and establish a repeated measures design for the valenced go/nogo learning task that would enable a combination with stress induction. Moreover, the stay should be used to learn modelling techniques for a detailed data analysis und to establish a contact to the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University to get to know methods of stress induction.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Sweden
• Host: Marc Guitart-Masip, Ph.D.