Topic: nucleus accumbens (NAc)

Dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a critical signal for both learning and motivation. While DA release dynamics are often associated with reward prediction errors, they also scale remarkably well with a state-value signal – expectations of reward from an animal’s current state. However, computing value in real-world environments poses a substantial computational problem. Expectations of future rewards from a given state depend on future actions and their reward likelihood. Computing state value, therefore, necessitates assumptions about future navigational choices. Furthermore, v

To fully understand how information is processed in complex cell circuits, we need techniques able to specifically target and control the activity of the elements involved, including astrocytes. Currently available tools like optogenetics and chemogenetics affect the entire astrocytic population, making it difficult to target specific subsets. This lack of specificity hinders our understanding of the role of astrocytes in behavior.We present a tool to translate the activity-mediated calcium signals of astrocytes into gene expression in a light-dependent manner, i.e. AstroLight. Using AstroLigh

The role of midbrain dopamine neurons in signalling reward prediction is well established, but it is becoming increasingly evident that these signals are heterogeneous. This raises the possibility that dopamine signalling during reward-seeking may vary in different striatal regions. We therefore examined dopamine signalling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsolateral striatum (DLS) or dorsomedial striatum (DMS) during choice and reward. We developed a mouse decision-making task and measured dopamine signals using fiber photometry. We expressed the GCaMP6f calcium sensor in the ventral tegment

Background: Emerging evidence suggests a central role of mitochondria in psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that high anxious (HA) rats exhibit reduced active coping behavior under adversity and competitiveness. HA animals also show alterations in the neural circuits involved in motivation such as nucleus accumbens (Nac), at both the cellular and organelle level. We have identified an essential role for mitochondria and energy metabolism in NAc function in effort-related and motivated behaviors, suggesting that boosting mitochondrial function in the NAc could lead to enhanced perf

Learning to identify and appropriately react to stimuli that predict threat is crucial for survival. Pavlovian fear conditioning is widely used to investigate the neuronal mechanisms of threat learning. In this study, we used fibre photometry calcium imaging in freely moving male and female mice to determine activity dynamics in nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and ventral hippocampus (vHip) during a Pavlovian fear conditioning task in which one auditory cue was paired with foot shock (CS+) and another remained unreinforced (CS-). Both cues elicited increased activity