Ms Sara Mehrhof

Syndromes of deficient motivational drive are commonly observed across a range of psychiatric disorders, yet they are poorly targeted by current treatments. Recent work suggests the processing of rewards and effort costs in decision-making as a possible mechanism behind (a)motivation. I use computational modelling of effort- and reward-based decision-making to investigate motivational deficits, taking a transdiagnostic approach. To maintain homeostasis, peripheral signals of bodily states should be integrated to guide motivated behaviour in concert with physiological resources and needs. I am interested in exploring this brain-body interaction with regard to effort-based decision-making in health and disorder. My research is supervised by Camilla Nord and funded by the Medical Research Council.