Modification of Pavlovian and Instrumental Learning in Human Addiction

Project C02 aims at investigating modifications of environmental factors (i.e. cues and stress) relevant for learning mechanisms in addictive disorders. The investigators will examine non-treatment seeking subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD; mild vs. moderate to heavy), and healthy controls with a focus on the impact of Pavlovian conditioned stimuli (context-related cues) on instrumental behavior (so-called Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer (PIT)) and whether the PIT effect can be systematically modified by manipulating the approach/ avoidance propensities of Pavlovian cues (work package (WP) 1). Concerning stress as a major modulator of cue reactivity in addiction, the investigators further plan to assess whether acute, active stress reduction modifies such PIT effects (i.e. decreasing transfer effects) as well as goal-directed vs. habitual behavior (i.e. strengthening goal-directed decisionmaking) (WP2). Lastly, this project aims at contributing to the understanding of the underlying neurobiological correlates of manipulation of approach/ avoidance propensities of Pavlovian cues and acute stress reduction by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (WP3) with a focus on amygdala-striatal activity (PIT) and frontostriatal processes (goaldirected decision-making).