Psychology

Cognitive representations of intracranial self-stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons depend on stimulation frequency

S. J. Millard, I. B. Hoang, et al.

This exciting study by Samuel J. Millard and colleagues delves into the fascinating world of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of midbrain dopamine neurons, revealing how different stimulation frequencies affect reward motivation! Discover how a physiological prediction error at 20 Hz contrasts sharply with the robust motivational effects of 50 Hz stimulation on behavior.

00:00

~3 min • Beginner • English

Index

Abstract

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area support intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), yet the cognitive representations underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Here, 20-Hz stimulation of dopamine neurons, which approximates a physiologically relevant prediction error, was not sufficient to support ICSS beyond a continuously reinforced schedule and did not endow cues with a general or specific value. However, 50-Hz stimulation of dopamine neurons was sufficient to drive robust ICSS and was represented as a specific reward to motivate behavior. The frequency dependence of this effect is due to the rate (not the number) of action potentials produced by dopamine neurons, which differently modulates dopamine release downstream.

Publisher

Nature Neuroscience

Published On

Jul 01, 2024

Authors

Samuel J. Millard, Ivy B. Hoang, Savannah Sherwood, Masakazu Taira, Vanessa Reyes, Zara Greer, Shayna L. O'Connor, Kate M. Wassum, Morgan H. James, David J. Barker, Melissa J. Sharpe

DOI

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01643-1

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Medicine and Health

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments: the influence of dosage parameters

T. Prathum, T. Chantanachai, et al.

Medicine and Health

Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with cognitive training on cognitive functions in older people with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review with meta-analysis

E. Vásquez-carrasco, P. Jamett-oliva, et al.

Education

The impact of educational digitalization on the creativity of students with special needs: the role of study crafting and creative self-efficacy

Q. Zhang, B. Shi, et al.

Food Science and Technology

The effect of macromolecular crowding degree on the self-assembly of fatty acid and lipid hydrolysis

Y. Sun, B. Ge, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny