From valence encoding to motivated behavior: a focus on the nucleus accumbens circuitry

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106125 - 106125

Published: March 1, 2025

How do our brains determine whether something is good or bad? The brain's ability to evaluate stimuli as positive negative - by attributing valence fundamental survival and decision-making. Different brain regions have been associated with encoding, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). NAc predominantly composed of GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which segregate into two distinct populations based on their dopamine receptor expression: D1-receptor-expressing (D1-MSNs) D2-receptor-expressing (D2-MSNs). Classical models propose a binary functional role, where D1-MSNs exclusively mediated reward valence, while D2-MSNs processed aversion valence. However, we now recognize that MSN subpopulations operate in more complex manner than previously thought, often working cooperatively rather antagonistically valence-related behaviors. This review synthesizes current knowledge valence-encoding neurocircuitry, emphasis NAc. We examine electrophysiological, calcium imaging, optogenetic, chemogenetic pharmacological studies detailing contribution for rewarding aversive responses. Finally, explore emerging technical innovations promise advance understanding how mammalian encodes translates it behavior.

Language: Английский

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Neuroanatomy Reflects Individual Variability in Impulsivity in Youth

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 23, 2025

A bstract Individual differences in neural circuits underlying emotional regulation, motivation, and decision-making are implicated many psychiatric illnesses. Interindividual variability these may manifest, at least part, as individual impulsivity both normative clinically significant levels. Impulsivity reflects a tendency towards rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without considering potential negative consequences coupled with difficulty inhibiting responses. Here, we use multivariate brain-based predictive models explore the bases of across multiple behavioral scales, neuroanatomical features (cortical thickness, surface area, gray matter volume), sexes (females males) large sample youth from Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study baseline (n=9,099) two-year follow-up (n=6,432). is significantly associated variability, associations vary scales features. broadly maps onto cortical thickness dispersed regions (e.g., inferior frontal, lateral occipital, superior entorhinal), well area volume specific medial parahippocampal, cingulate) polar frontal temporal) territories. Importantly, while relationships stable time points, others sex-specific dynamic. These results highlight complexity between neuroanatomy features, sexes, points youth. findings suggest that neuroanatomy, combination other biological environmental factors, key driver As such, markers help identify increased risk for developing impulsivity-related Furthermore, this work emphasizes importance adopting multidimensional approach neuroimaging research.

Language: Английский

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The connecting brain in context: How adolescent plasticity supports experiential learning and development

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 71, P. 101486 - 101486

Published: Nov. 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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Sex-differential markers of psychiatric risk and treatment response based on premature aging of functional brain network dynamics and peripheral physiology

Biological Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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