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The impact of binge eating on motivational behavior and cognitive performance
Experimental neurobiology: cognitive-behavioural investigations using touch-screen platform. This would suit a wide variety of students interested in hands on behavioural neurobiology experience.
Eating disorders have become a major health and economic burden worldwide and the development of new treatments is urgently needed. One of the most common eating disorders is the binge eating disorder (BED). It is a severe, life threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort). The main goal of this thesis is to model binge eating in mice. We will assess whether binge eating will affect motivational behavior and cognitive performance. We will employ cognitive-behavioral investigations using touch-screen platform, which is a human-like cognitive screening. The goal is to investigate whether there is a behavioral pattern following a binge-eating regime. More specifically, which factors may modulate the vulnerability to develop abnormalities in eating behaviors? We will assess which neural circuits regulate binge eating employing in vivo photometry and optogenetics.
This project requires a commitment to full-time engagement for at least six months.
Eating disorders have become a major health and economic burden worldwide and the development of new treatments is urgently needed. One of the most common eating disorders is the binge eating disorder (BED). It is a severe, life threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort). The main goal of this thesis is to model binge eating in mice. We will assess whether binge eating will affect motivational behavior and cognitive performance. We will employ cognitive-behavioral investigations using touch-screen platform, which is a human-like cognitive screening. The goal is to investigate whether there is a behavioral pattern following a binge-eating regime. More specifically, which factors may modulate the vulnerability to develop abnormalities in eating behaviors? We will assess which neural circuits regulate binge eating employing in vivo photometry and optogenetics.
This project requires a commitment to full-time engagement for at least six months.