PhD defence

Investigating structure and function of the dopaminergic midbrain - with a special focus on the human VTA

• A.C. Trutti

Date

Friday 15 November 2024

Time

10:00 - 11:00 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• Prod.dr. B. Hommel
• Prof.dr. B. U. Forstmann (UvA)
• dr. Z. Sjoerds

Summary

This dissertation explores the human dopaminergic midbrain, focusing on the ventral tegmental area (VTA), using advanced neuroimaging techniques such as 7 Tesla (7T) MRI. While the substantia nigra (SN) has traditionally been the focus of research, the VTA plays a key role in behaviors like reward-based learning and cognitive control. Due to its deep brain location and cellular complexity, the VTA has been difficult to study using standard MRI. To overcome this, the research introduces a new probabilistic atlas, offering greater anatomical precision based on high-resolution MRI data.

Further investigations in the dissertation analyze the structural and functional aspects of the VTA and SN. The structural connectivity analysis reveals that both regions share similar brain connections but differ in white matter density. On the functional side, the dissertation challenges conventional working memory models, proposing a more significant role for subcortical structures like the VTA and SN. A study on neural correlated of the reward prediction error, however, did not find the expected neural activity in these regions.

In summary, the dissertation advances the understanding of the VTA's structure and functions, offering new tools like the probabilistic atlas for more accurate neuroimaging studies.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

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