Research Summary
Basal ganglia are a group of structures in the brain that are responsible for motor function as well as behaviour and emotions. The ventral striatum is the primary input structure of this system and is key to controlling goal-directed behaviours. As Canada Research Chair in Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Neuroscience, Dr. Jonathan Britt aims to better understand these brain functions, including how the ventral striatum assigns value to govern our eating and drinking (ingestive) behaviour.
He and his research team are shedding light on how basal ganglia circuits respond to information processed in the ventral striatum to control ingestive behaviours. To do this, the team is using genetic tools to identify, monitor and manipulate subsets of neurons, circuit mapping tools to outline their connectivity within the network, and systems neuroscience tools to link circuit activity to behaviour. By better understanding these brain dynamics, their work will support the development of new diagnostics and therapies for mental illnesses.