Shared striatal activity in decisions to satisfy curiosity and hunger at the risk of electric shocks

AbstractCuriosity is often portrayed as a desirable feature of human faculty. However, curiosity may come at a cost that sometimes puts people in a harmful situation. Here, with a set of behavioural and neuroimaging experiments using stimuli that strongly trigger curiosity (e.g., magic tricks), we examined the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the motivational effect of curiosity. We consistently demonstrated that across different samples, people were indeed willing to gamble, subjecting themselves to physical risks (i.e. electric shocks) in order to satisfy their curiosity for trivial knowledge that carries no apparent instrumental value. Also, this influence of curiosity shares common neural mechanisms with that of extrinsic incentives (i.e. hunger for food). In particular, we showed that acceptance (compared to rejection) of curiosity/incentive-driven gambles was accompanied by enhanced activity in the ventral striatum (when curiosity was elicited), which extended into the dorsal striatum (when participants made a decision).

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Learning whom not to trust across early adolescence: a longitudinal neuroimaging study to trusting behavior involving an uncooperative other

10.31234/osf.io/xp8jz ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elisabeth Schreuders ◽

Mariet van Buuren ◽

Reubs J Walsh ◽

Hester Sijtsma ◽

Miriam Hollarek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Adolescence ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

A Priori ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Trust Game ◽

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Enhanced Activity

Early adolescence may be an important period for developing sensitivity to uncooperative behavior. With this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined longitudinal changes in trusting behavior and their neural correlates in regions of interest (ROIs) selected a priori: the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), left anterior insula (AI), bilateral ventral striatum, and right dorsal striatum. Participants played the investor in a Trust Game with an uncooperative trustee (an anthropomorphic cartoon) three times, with one year between each wave. We preregistered our hypotheses and analytic plan. In total, 160 scan sessions of 77 participants (age at wave 1: M=13.89) were included in the analyses. First, we examined changes in trusting behavior involving an uncooperative other, and showed that participants’ investments decreased with wave. Next, we examined whether the investment and repayment phase yielded enhanced activity in the ROIs. In each phase we observed increased activity in the mPFC, dACC, and dorsal striatum, but no effects were found in the bilateral ventral striatum (and AI did not reach significance after multiple comparisons correction). Finally, we examined whether ROI activity changed with wave. During the repayment phase, dorsal striatum activity increased with wave (although this finding did not survive Bonferroni correction, it closely approached our threshold for significance). Together, these results indicate that young adolescents become increasingly responsive to uncooperative behavior; that trust behavior robustly enhanced activity in brain regions previously related to trust and decision-making in social context; and increased involvement of dorsal striatum across early adolescence.

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Dopamine D2/3 Receptor Availabilities and Evoked Dopamine Release in Striatum Differentially Predict Impulsivity and Novelty Preference in Roman High- and Low-Avoidance Rats

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1093/ijnp/pyaa084 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lidia Bellés ◽

Andrea Dimiziani ◽

Stergios Tsartsalis ◽

Philippe Millet ◽

François R Herrmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ventral Striatum ◽

Single Photon ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Photon Emission ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Reaction Time Task ◽

Emission Computed Tomography ◽

Novelty Preference ◽

Da Release

Abstract Background Impulsivity and novelty preference are both associated with an increased propensity to develop addiction-like behaviors, but their relationship and respective underlying dopamine (DA) underpinnings are not fully elucidated. Methods We evaluated a large cohort (n = 49) of Roman high- and low-avoidance rats using single photon emission computed tomography to concurrently measure in vivo striatal D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) availability and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced DA release in relation to impulsivity and novelty preference using a within-subject design. To further examine the DA-dependent processes related to these traits, midbrain D2/3-autoreceptor levels were measured using ex vivo autoradiography in the same animals. Results We replicated a robust inverse relationship between impulsivity, as measured with the 5-choice serial reaction time task, and D2/3R availability in ventral striatum and extended this relationship to D2/3R levels measured in dorsal striatum. Novelty preference was positively related to impulsivity and showed inverse associations with D2/3R availability in dorsal striatum and ventral striatum. A high magnitude of AMPH-induced DA release in striatum predicted both impulsivity and novelty preference, perhaps owing to the diminished midbrain D2/3-autoreceptor availability measured in high-impulsive/novelty-preferring Roman high-avoidance animals that may amplify AMPH effect on DA transmission. Mediation analyses revealed that while D2/3R availability and AMPH-induced DA release in striatum are both significant predictors of impulsivity, the effect of striatal D2/3R availability on novelty preference is fully mediated by evoked striatal DA release. Conclusions Impulsivity and novelty preference are related but mediated by overlapping, yet dissociable, DA-dependent mechanisms in striatum that may interact to promote the emergence of an addiction-prone phenotype.

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Cue-reactivity in the ventral striatum characterizes heavy cannabis use, whereas reactivity in the dorsal striatum mediates dependent use

10.1101/516385 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xinqi Zhou ◽

Kaeli Zimmermann ◽

Fei Xin ◽

Weihua Zhao ◽

Roelinka Derckx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

Reference Group ◽

Cue Reactivity ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Trait Impulsivity

AbstractBackgroundAnimal models of addiction suggest that the transition from incentive-driven to habitual and ultimately compulsive drug use is mediated by a shift from ventral to dorsal striatal cue-control over drug seeking. Previous studies in human cannabis users reported elevated trait impulsivity and cue-reactivity in striatal circuits, however, these studies were not able to separate addiction-related from exposure-related adaptations.MethodsTo differentiate the adaptive changes, the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined behavioral and neural cue-reactivity in dependent (n = 18) and non-dependent (n = 20) heavy cannabis users and a non-using reference group (n = 44).ResultsIrrespective of dependence status, cannabis users demonstrated elevated trait impulsivity as well as increased ventral striatal reactivity and striato-frontal coupling in response to drug cues. Dependent users selectively exhibited dorsal-striatal reactivity and decreased striato-limbic coupling during cue-exposure. An exploratory analysis revealed that higher ventral caudate cue-reactivity was associated with stronger cue-induced arousal and craving in dependent users, whereas this pattern was reversed in non-dependent users.ConclusionsTogether the present findings suggest that an incentive sensitization of the ventral striatal reward system may promote excessive drug use in humans, whereas adaptations in dorsal striatal systems engaged in habit formation may promote the transition to addictive use.

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Neural population dynamics underlying expected value computation

10.1101/2020.06.01.127738 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hiroshi Yamada ◽

Yuri Imaizumi ◽

Masayuki Matsumoto

Keyword(s):

Ventral Striatum ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Expected Value ◽

Economic Behavior ◽

Neural Dynamics ◽

Neural Population ◽

Integrative Process ◽

Expected Values ◽

The Brain

AbstractComputation of expected values, i.e., probability times magnitude, seems to be a dynamic integrative process performed in the brain for efficient economic behavior. However, neural dynamics underlying this computation remain largely unknown. We examined (1) whether four core reward-related regions detect and integrate the probability and magnitude cued by numerical symbols and (2) whether these regions have distinct dynamics in the integrative process. Extractions of mechanistic structure of neural population signal demonstrated that expected-value signals simultaneously arose in central part of orbitofrontal cortex (cOFC, area 13m) and ventral striatum (VS). These expected-value signals were incredibly stable in contrast to weak and/or fluctuated signals in dorsal striatum and medial OFC. Notably, temporal dynamics of these stable expected-value signals were unambiguously distinct: sharp and gradual signal evolutions in cOFC and VS, respectively. These intimate dynamics suggest that cOFC and VS compute the expected-values with unique time constants, as distinct, partially overlapping processes.

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Characterizing Different Strategies for Resolving Approach-Avoidance Conflict

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.608922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Hector Bravo-Rivera ◽

Patricia Rubio Arzola ◽

Albit Caban-Murillo ◽

Adriana N. Vélez-Avilés ◽

Shantée N. Ayala-Rosario ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conflict Resolution ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

Behavioral Flexibility ◽

Simple Approach ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Early Gene ◽

Conflict Task ◽

Midline Thalamus ◽

Approach Avoidance ◽

Increased Activity

The ability of animals to maximize benefits and minimize costs during approach-avoidance conflicts is an important evolutionary tool, but little is known about the emergence of specific strategies for conflict resolution. Accordingly, we developed a simple approach-avoidance conflict task in rats that pits the motivation to press a lever for sucrose against the motivation to step onto a distant platform to avoid a footshock delivered at the end of a 30 s tone (sucrose is available only during the tone). Rats received conflict training for 16 days to give them a chance to optimize their strategy by learning to properly time the expression of both behaviors across the tone. Rats unexpectedly separated into three distinct subgroups: those pressing early in the tone and avoiding later (Timers, 49%); those avoiding throughout the tone (Avoidance-preferring, 32%); and those pressing throughout the tone (Approach-preferring, 19%). The immediate early gene cFos revealed that Timers showed increased activity in the ventral striatum and midline thalamus relative to the other two subgroups, Avoidance-preferring rats showed increased activity in the amygdala, and Approach-preferring rats showed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex. This pattern is consistent with low fear and high behavioral flexibility in Timers, suggesting the potential of this task to reveal the neural mechanisms of conflict resolution.

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Frontostriatal Connectivity During Reward Anticipation

Zeitschrift für Psychologie ◽

10.1027/2151-2604/a000307 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 225 (3) ◽

pp. 232-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alena Becker ◽

Martin Fungisai Gerchen ◽

Martina Kirsch ◽

Bettina Ubl ◽

Sivaniya Subramaniapillai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Reward Processing ◽

Reward Anticipation ◽

Patient Groups ◽

The Common ◽

Related Pattern

Abstract. Neurobiological research indicates that altered reward processing is among the most promising risk mechanisms in alcohol use disorder and depression. To elucidate differences and similarities between both disorders, we investigated clinical patients and at-risk individuals in two studies using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) monetary reward paradigm. In the first study, alcohol use disorder patients compared to depressed and healthy individuals showed increased activation of the ventral striatum during reward anticipation. In contrast, both patient groups showed reduced frontostriatal connectivity compared to controls. In the second study, at-risk comorbid individuals showed decreased activation in the dorsal striatum along with decreased frontostriatal connectivity. While the connectivity results replicate the common pattern found for the patient groups, the activation results indicate a more depression-related pattern in individuals prone to developing both disorders. In conclusion, frontostriatal connectivity might be a promising transdiagnostic marker for depression, alcohol use disorder, and their comorbidity.

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Opioid circuitry and the aetiology of equine oral stereotypy

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200020755 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 ◽

pp. 172-172

Author(s):

A. Hemmings ◽

S.D McBride ◽

C.E Hale

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Basal Ganglia ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Receptor Density ◽

Reward Circuitry ◽

Neural Transmission ◽

Stereotypic Behaviour ◽

And Control ◽

Oral Stereotypy

Stereotypic behaviour is generally attributed to a dysfunction of the basal ganglia, although confusion exists as to whether altered function stems from the dorsal (Caudatus and putamen) or ventral regions (nucleus accumbens). In rodents, imbalanced basal ganglia opioid physiology leads to enhanced efferent neural transmission from only the dorsal striatum to cortex. However, in horses performing oral stereotypy (crib-biting), neural alterations in dopamine receptor density have been recorded in both dorsal and ventral striatal regions (McBride and Hemmings, 2005) suggesting that both projections may be altered in the stereotypy phenotype. Indeed, if stereotypies are considered to stem from highly motivated appetitive behaviours, it seems probable that ventral elements of the basal ganglia ‘reward’ circuitry should also be involved If this is the case, then stereotypy performance has potentially rewarding consequences and could thus be employed as a coping strategy. To further address the issue of dorsal versus ventral striatum involvement in the equine oral stereotypy phenotype, comparisons of opioid receptor physiology between crib-biters and control horses were performed.

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Obesity is associated with altered mid-insula functional connectivity to limbic regions underlying appetitive responses to foods

Journal of Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/0269881117728429 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (11) ◽

pp. 1475-1484 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jason A Avery ◽

Joshua N Powell ◽

Florence J Breslin ◽

Rebecca J Lepping ◽

Laura E Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Ventral Striatum ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Brain Regions ◽

The Body ◽

Food Motivation ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Resting State Functional Connectivity

Obesity is fundamentally a disorder of energy balance. In obese individuals, more energy is consumed than is expended, leading to excessive weight gain through the accumulation of adipose tissue. Complications arising from obesity, including cardiovascular disease, elevated peripheral inflammation, and the development of Type II diabetes, make obesity one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. Thus, it is of paramount importance to both individual and public health that we understand the neural circuitry underlying the behavioral regulation of energy balance. To this end, we sought to examine obesity-related differences in the resting state functional connectivity of the dorsal mid-insula, a region of gustatory and interoceptive cortex associated with homeostatically sensitive responses to food stimuli. Within the present study, obese and healthy weight individuals completed resting fMRI scans during varying interoceptive states, both while fasting and after a standardized meal. We examined group differences in the pre- versus post-meal functional connectivity of the mid-insula, and how those differences were related to differences in self-reported hunger ratings and ratings of meal pleasantness. Obese and healthy weight individuals exhibited opposing patterns of eating-related functional connectivity between the dorsal mid-insula and multiple brain regions involved in reward, valuation, and satiety, including the medial orbitofrontal cortex, the dorsal striatum, and the ventral striatum. In particular, healthy weight participants exhibited a significant positive relationship between changes in hunger and changes in medial orbitofrontal functional connectivity, while obese participants exhibited a complementary negative relationship between hunger and ventral striatum connectivity to the mid-insula. These obesity-related alterations in dorsal mid-insula functional connectivity patterns may signify a fundamental difference in the experience of food motivation in obese individuals, wherein approach behavior toward food is guided more by reward-seeking than by homeostatically relevant interoceptive information from the body.

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The Hypoactivity Associated with the Repeated Exposure to Atrazine Is Related to Decreases in the Specific Binding to D1-DA Receptors in the Striatum of Rats

Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1155/2017/2169212 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José Abraham Márquez-Ramos ◽

Isela Hernández-Plata ◽

Mauricio Díaz-Muñoz ◽

Verónica M. Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Ventral Striatum ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Dorsal Striatum ◽

Nigrostriatal System ◽

Saline Injection ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Da Receptors ◽

Sprague Dawley Rats ◽

Herbicide Atrazine ◽

Short And Long Term

The herbicide atrazine (ATR) has a potential toxic effect on the neuronal circuits of the brain, specifically on two major dopaminergic pathways: the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic circuits. In this work, we repeatedly exposed adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to 6 injections of 100 mg ATR/kg of body weight (for two weeks) and one saline injection two days after ATR administration. Locomotor activity was assessed for 15 minutes and/or 2 hours after ATR or saline injection and 2 months after the final ATR administration. The specific binding of [3H]-SCH23390 to D1-DA receptors and that of [3H]-Spiperone to D2-DA receptors in the dorsal and ventral striatum were assessed 2 days and 2 months after ATR treatment. ATR administration resulted in immediate, short- and long-term hypoactivity and reduced specific binding of [3H]-SCH23390 in the dorsal striatum of rats evaluated 2 months after the last ATR injection. The specific binding of [3H]-SCH23390 in the ventral striatum and the specific binding of [3H]-Spiperone in the dorsal and ventral striatum remained unchanged at 2 days or 2 months after ATR treatment. These results, together with previous findings of our group, indicate that the nigrostriatal system is a preferential target for ATR exposure.

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