The BRAIN Lab focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive, affective, and stress associated aspects of decision-making and impulsivity—specifically related to gambling addiction, substance addiction and concurrent mental disorders.

Components of impulsive decision making may be an important factor in mediating subjective vulnerability towards the initiation and maintenance of behaviours such as gambling and drug addiction. Thus, a better understanding of this type of decision making may aid in the development of treatments to help reduce addiction and other impulsivity and decision making related disorders. Our approach is based on translational concepts. We use behavioural testing and biological measures of brain activity (e.g. fMRI and EEG) to understand dysregulated decision making.

The aim is to improve our understanding and ultimately facilitate better interventions and better outcomes for individuals suffering from different disorders with dysregulated decision making.

Christian G. Schütz
Catharine Winstanley