Projekt

The brain's dopamine system is critical for learning. In previous work the participating groups demonstrated that the dopamine precursor levodopa markedly improves word learning success. The goal of this study is to identify the neural substrates of dopaminergic learning enhancement. To this end, three brain imaging techniques will be combined to compare learning with and without levodopa. Whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) will determine the temporal and spatial patterns of brain activation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will aid in the assessment of spatial patterns and effective connectivity of activated brain regions. Inhibitory transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will validate if regional brain activation, identified by MEG and fMRI is critical for function. Specifically it will be asked whether dopamine increases a) neuronal coherence in learning related brain regions (temporal dimension) and b) learning via recruitment of vicarious brain areas or via language homolog regions (spatial dimension). The ultimate goal is to delineate the neural processes necessary for dopaminergic improvement.

• Prof. Dr. Stefan Knecht

  Universitätsklinikum Münster
  Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie
  Münster
  

• Priv.-Doz. Dr. Caterina Breitenstein

  Universitätsklinikum Münster
  Abt. für Neurologie
  Münster
  

• Prof. Dr. Christo Pantev

  Universitätsklinikum Münster
  Institut für Biomagnetismus und Biosignalanalyse
  Münster