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Treasure Chest Funding for Marta Méndez-Couz (A04): Appetitive extinction in the psychosis model

Marta Méndez-Couz from the Ruhr University Bochum is a postdoc in project A04. The title of her research project is: “Characterization of the Neural Basis Underlying Appetitive Extinction in a Model of Psychosis Disorders”.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the associative learning changes as appetitive extinction learning and renewal effects in a model of psychosis pathologies. Most previous studies on the neural basis of extinction learning have examined the phenomenon of extinction learning from the perspective of aversive conditioning. However, the neural basis underlying this change in response in natural and everyday forms of extinction learning that occurs when a reinforcer is no longer available – so-called appetitive learning – has not yet been clarified.

Indeed, extinction of appetite-based associations is key to understanding clinical disorders such as abnormal persistent appetite, drug associations and some psychotic symptoms where failure of extinction may play an important role. However, empirical evidence is lacking. Therefore, in this project we will investigate the extinction and renewal of conditioned magazine approach responses in the rodent model of psychosis Cacna1c +/-. In addition, an immediate analysis of gene expression in the brain will allow us to link these behavioral responses to an associated transient regional brain change.

Understanding the non-anxiety based extinction learning and renewal effects in both healthy subjects and in a psychosis model and their neuronal basis will contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for the prevention/treatment of the associated clinical disorders.

The SFB 1280 has set up a budget for its young scientists to realize their own research ideas. We use the “treasure chest” to finance convincing and independent study concepts of our early career researchers.

New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.