Karin Vadovicova

PhD student Nov 2012 - Oct 2015

Universita degli Studi Brescia

I worked in neuroimaging lab where I analyzed DTI and resting state fMRI data.

I studied prefronto-habenular connectivity and the role of several circuits in decision making, value-based choice behavior, cognitive and affective processing, and in mental disorders.

I showed first findings in human brain of cortical projections to the lateral habenula from dACC, pgACC, laterla and medial frontal pole (area 10), from BA 8, BA 9, BA 10, BA 47/12, BA 46, BA 45, BA 44, frontal operculum, anterior insula, temporal pole and midcingulate cortex (involved in motor control).

I proposed new idea of value-based segregation of cortical input to ventral striatum, with valuable/rewarding choices that activate mOFC stimulating predominantly d1 loop of VS/NAc, while negatively valued choices (linke dto pain, harm, discomfort, loss or failure) stimulating  by projections from dACC, pgACC and AI the D2 loop of VS/NAc.

I found new role for vACC region in signaling well-being and inducing satisfaction, relaxation and rest by stimulating serotonergic release in DRN.

I found out newrole of MHb--> IPN --> MRN circuit in promoting slow wave sleep and replay/consolidation of relational memory (information bound together in spatio-temporal and relational context in hipocampus). I proposed that this SWS promoting circuit competes with the theta-promoting circuit and regions (that is active in active wakefulness and in REM sleep).

Trinity College Dublin 2007 - 2009

Field of study: Neuroscience
Degree: M.Sc. in Psychology

I have analyzed fMRI data of NoGo task. I found new functional role for  the dACC and anterior insula that were both strongly co-activated in my NoGo versus Go task contrast.