Reward- and aversion-related processing in the brain: translational evidence for separate and shared circuits - Volume II

36.4K
views
36
authors
7
articles
Editors
4
Impact
Loading...
3,853 views
8 citations
5,716 views
7 citations
Article Cover Image
Original Research
16 December 2021
Whole-Brain Reconstruction of Neurons in the Ventral Pallidum Reveals Diverse Projection Patterns
Qiru Feng
5 more and 
Minmin Luo

The ventral pallidum (VP) integrates reward signals to regulate cognitive, emotional, and motor processes associated with motivational salience. Previous studies have revealed that the VP projects axons to many cortical and subcortical structures. However, descriptions of the neuronal morphologies and projection patterns of the VP neurons at the single neuron level are lacking, thus hindering the understanding of the wiring diagram of the VP. In this study, we used recently developed progress in robust sparse labeling and fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography imaging system (fMOST) to label mediodorsal thalamus-projecting neurons in the VP and obtain high-resolution whole-brain imaging data. Based on these data, we reconstructed VP neurons and classified them into three types according to their fiber projection patterns. We systematically compared the axonal density in various downstream centers and analyzed the soma distribution and dendritic morphologies of the various subtypes at the single neuron level. Our study thus provides a detailed characterization of the morphological features of VP neurons, laying a foundation for exploring the neural circuit organization underlying the important behavioral functions of VP.

8,633 views
10 citations
Original Research
14 December 2021

Opposite emotions like fear and reward states often utilize the same brain regions. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) comprises one hub for processing fear and reward processes. However, it remains unknown how dorsal BNST (dBNST) circuits process these antagonistic behaviors. Here, we exploited a combined Pavlovian fear and reward conditioning task that exposed mice to conditioned tone stimuli (CS)s, either paired with sucrose delivery or footshock unconditioned stimuli (US). Pharmacological inactivation identified the dorsal BNST as a crucial element for both fear and reward behavior. Deep brain calcium imaging revealed opposite roles of two distinct dBNST neuronal output pathways to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) or paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). dBNST neural activity profiles differentially process valence and Pavlovian behavior components: dBNST-PAG neurons encode fear CS, whereas dBNST-PVH neurons encode reward responding. Optogenetic activation of BNST-PVH neurons increased reward seeking, whereas dBNST-PAG neurons attenuated freezing. Thus, dBNST-PVH or dBNST-PAG circuitry encodes oppositely valenced fear and reward states, while simultaneously triggering an overall positive affective response bias (increased reward seeking while reducing fear responses). We speculate that this mechanism amplifies reward responding and suppresses fear responses linked to BNST dysfunction in stress and addictive behaviors.

6,053 views
11 citations
Original Research
20 April 2021

Adolescence has been linked to an enhanced tolerance of uncertainty and risky behavior and is possibly connected to an increased response toward rewards. However, previous research has produced inconsistent findings. To investigate whether these findings are due to different reward probabilities used in the experimental design, we extended a monetary incentive delay (MID) task by including three different reward probabilities. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, 25 healthy adolescents and 22 adults were studied during anticipation of rewards in the VS. Differently colored cue stimuli indicated either a monetary or verbal trial and symbolized different reward probabilities, to which the participants were blinded. Results demonstrated faster reaction times for lower reward probabilities (33%) in both age groups. Adolescents were slower through all conditions and had less activation on a neural level. Imaging results showed a three-way interaction between age group x condition x reward probability with differences in percent signal change between adolescents and adults for the high reward probabilities (66%, 88%) while adolescents demonstrated differences for the lowest (33%). Therefore, previous inconsistent findings could be due to different reward probabilities, which makes examining these crucial for a better understanding of adolescent and adult behavior.

4,946 views
6 citations
Recommended Research Topics
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

A second golden age for the habenula: reward and disappointment
Edited by Ramiro Salas, Fritz A Henn, Masayuki Matsumoto, Philip Rupert Baldwin
123.9K
views
47
authors
13
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

The Evolution of Rhythm Cognition: Timing in Music and Speech
Edited by Andrea Ravignani, Henkjan Honing, Sonja A Kotz
320.7K
views
106
authors
34
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Sensing the World Through Predictions and Errors
Edited by Ryszard Auksztulewicz, Marta I. Garrido, Manuel S. Malmierca, Alessandro Tavano, Juanita Todd, István Winkler
81.9K
views
62
authors
17
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Society, Organizations and the Brain: Building Towards a Unified Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective - Volume II
Edited by Sven Braeutigam, Nick Lee, Carl Senior
39.2K
views
21
authors
8
articles
65.3K
views
38
authors
6
articles