A01 A02 A03 A04 A05 A06 A07 A08 A09 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A18 F01 F02

A03 – Functional role and dynamic change of extinction network connectivity

Nikolai Axmacher, Erhan Genç

Using advanced imaging methods in humans we will test how dynamic interactions between core regions of the extinction network shape learning. Here, we investigate how progress in fear extinction alters functional fMRI connectivity within the network. Simultaneous EEG/fMRI recordings will reveal the electrophysiological origins of these connectivity changes. Also, interindividual differences in learning outcome will be related to variations of pre-learning structural network connectivity. Finally, high-resolution fMRI recordings at 7T will uncover for the first time the importance of fine-grained functional and structural network interactions between distinct amygdala nuclei and other regions of the network on extinction learning.

Guiding questions of A03:

  • How does rsfMRI and task-related connectivity of the extinction network change during and after learning?
  • What is the electrophysiological basis of extinction network interactions in humans?
  • Can inter-individual learning differences be predicted by pre-learning connectivity patterns?
  • How do specific amygdala nuclei interact with the remaining extinction network during learning?
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Nikolai Axmacher

Nikolai Axmacher

Projektleiter A02, A03, F02

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Christoph Fraenz

Christoph Fraenz

Postdoc A03

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Erhan Genç

Erhan Genç

Projektleiter A03

Ruhr-Univerität Bochum

10 project-relevant publications

Axmacher N, Schmitz DP, Wagner T, Elger CE, Fell J (2008) Interactions between medial temporal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and inferior temporal regions during visual working memory: a combined intracranial EEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Neurosci. 28(29): 7304–7312.

Bergmann J, Genc E, Kohler A, Singer W, Pearson J (2016) Neural Anatomy of Primary Visual Cortex Limits Visual Working Memory. Cereb Cortex. 26(1): 43–50.

Deuker L, Olligs J, Fell J, Kranz TA, Mormann F, Montag C, Reuter M, Elger CE, Axmacher N (2013) Memory

consolidation by replay of stimulus-specific neural activity. J Neurosci. 33(49): 19373–19383.

Genc E, Bergmann J, Singer W, Kohler A (2011) Interhemispheric connections shape subjective experience of bistable motion. Curr Biol. 21(17): 1494–1499.

Genc E, Bergmann J, Singer W, Kohler A (2015) Surface area of early visual cortex predicts individual speed of traveling waves during binocular rivalry. Cereb Cortex. 25(6): 1499–1508.

Genc E, Ocklenburg S, Singer W, Güntürkün O (2015) Abnormal interhemispheric motor interactions in patients with callosal agenesis. Behav Brain Res. 293: 1–9.

Genc E, Scholvinck ML, Bergmann J, Singer W, Kohler A (2016) Functional Connectivity Patterns of Visual Cortex Reflect its Anatomical Organization. Cereb Cortex. 26(9): 3719–3731.

Kunz L, Schroder TN, Lee H, Montag C, Lachmann B, Sariyska R, Reuter M, Stirnberg R, Stocker T, Messing-Floeter PC, Fell J, Doeller CF, Axmacher N (2015) Reduced grid-cell-like representations in adults at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Science. 350(6259): 430–433.

Oehrn CR, Hanslmayr S, Fell J, Deuker L, Kremers NA, Do Lam AT, Elger CE, Axmacher N (2014) Neural communication patterns underlying conflict detection, resolution, and adaptation. J Neurosci. 34(31): 10438–10452.

Staresina BP, Fell J, Do Lam ATA, Axmacher N, Henson RN (2012) Memory signals are temporally dissociated in and across human hippocampus and perirhinal cortex. Nat Neurosci. 15(8): 1167–1173.