Project A04

Project A04 explores the impact of motivation and reward on neural signalling driving locomotor behaviour in mice. Circuit mechanisms, neuronal dynamics, and behavioural functions of the ventral tegmental area and lateral hypothalamus interactions will be investigated during free-choice and food-directed locomotion in health, ageing, and obesity using calcium imaging, optogenetics, and dual-site electrophysiological recordings. This project will help to understand hedonic aspects of motor functions, and how alterations of reward-related processing in obesity and ageing lead to reduced motor activity.