Sebastien Bouret

Main position:

Directeur de Recherche CNRS/ HDR

Project:

My goal is to understand neuronal processes underlying motivation in primates: how does the brain attribute a value to a potential reward, and how does it influence actions ? How do we make an effort? How does the brain coordinate the resulting changes in motivation including cognitive functions, behavioral adjustments and autonomic reactions ? How do these functions differ across primate species?

My research is based on electrophysiological recordings and brain manipulations in rhesus monkeys performing behavioral tasks where they adjust their motivation as a function of the expected costs and benefits. It also includes a comparative approach to investigate the relation between cognition and neurobiology across primates.