Research report 2022 - Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research
The role of metabolic mediators in the control of motivation
Authors
Tittgemeyer, Marc
Departments
Abteilung „Translational Neurocircuitry“
Summary
Through learning processes, sensory signals gain a motivational force and enable the brain to direct actions and adapt our behaviour to maintain physiological needs. To that end, sensory computations in the brain must be regulated by the body's momentary metabolic state, taking into account external sensory cues. We investigate physiological pathways by which bodily metabolic signals are communicated through the brain to interact with sensory perception and learning processes to guide motivated behaviour.