Reward System Modulation

How executive control training modulate the brain reward system activity? We work on developping response training interventions (the practice of tasks invoving the control of responses to specific cues in an executive context) that modulate how the cues used in our training are valued. 

This research line is at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, digital therapeutics, and behavior modification, focusing on the development of innovative solutions to address consumption-driven chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We explore how the brain's reward and motivational systems respond to environmental cues, particularly those that drive cravings and overconsumption. Our work applies principles of neuroplasticity to design interventions that rewire these brain circuits for healthier behaviors.

Specifically, we specialize in neurocognitive retraining, employing techniques such as Go/NoGo (GNG) and Cue-Approach Training (CAT). These tasks reshape brain activity in response to unhealthy stimuli by training users to inhibit automatic responses and modify attentional biases, reducing the attractiveness and consumption of high-calorie foods, alcohol, and other addictive substances. These approaches target unconscious processes, bypassing the need for sustained self-control, a critical limitation in conventional behavioral interventions.

This work aligns with the fields of digital health and neurorehabilitation, combining our neuroscientific expertise with emerging technologies like gamification. By embedding these interventions in professionally designed, accessible mobile applications, we enable scalable, evidence-based solutions to tackle global health challenges. Our research addresses the urgent need for non-pharmacological, side-effect-free, and sustainable alternatives to traditional weight-loss and addiction treatments.

• Modulating the brain reward system responsivness

  We use stringent randomized control trials to assess whether and how our interventions reduce cravings and consumption on unhealthy items across several verticals - but mostly on food.

• Affective learning style profiling

  We focus on identifying the associations between affective learning styles (pavlovian and instrumental learning) and the responsivness to our response training interventions. This work will notably allow to improve the indicaiton of our intervention.

• Behavioral biomarkers of the reward system activity

  We focus on identifying behavioral measures that can be used as proxies for the reward system activity or more precisely the incentive salience of visual (food) cues. The aim is to develop tasks and algorithm allowing to identify problematic items without asking the individuals, just by analyzing motor patterns during executive tasks involving food cues. THese biomarkers could then be used to dynamically personalize interventions with closed-loops approaches. They can also be used to track cravings evolutions and to monitor the progress induced by our interventions.