Vanessa Neß participated in this year's "FoRUM" conference hosted by the medical faculty of the RUB. For her poster presentation summarizing a cooperation project with the human genetics group, funded by FoRUM (Forschungsförderung Ruhr-Universität Bochum Medizinischen Fakultät), she won a poster prize in her category endowed with a prize money of 500€.The dopaminergic system is known to modulate decision-making. With N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) strongly influence dopaminergic functioning, it is conceivable that the glutamatergic system is also involved in decision-making. The GRIN2B gene codes for the NMDAR subunit 2B determining receptor affinity. Out of 15 polymorphisms of the GRIN2B gene, two showed a strong association with strategic aspects of IGT performance. The results suggest that healthy individuals with certain GRIN2B variations respond differently to ambiguous conditions, possibly by altered perception of wins and losses. These findings underline the necessity to integrate the glutamatergic system when examining decision making processes.

CONGRATULATIONS VANESSA!