Topic: risk-taking behavior

Differences along the dorsal and ventral axis of the hippocampus reveal distinct processing characteristics, yet the connectivity patterns of different types of interneurons across hippocampal regions are not well understood. One specific group of interneurons, identified by the Chrna2 gene, known as OLMα2 cells, are noteworthy for their unique properties. These cells have a gate-switching function that regulates memory processes and risk-taking behavior differently across the dorsoventral axis. Using monosynaptic rabies tracing, we investigated how OLMα2 cells are wired in the dorsal, interme

Survival and well-being hinge on an organism's adeptness at evaluating diverse options, considering the costs and benefits before making adaptive decisions. The influence of stress on cognition and reward-related behaviors varies depending on factors such as the duration and type of stressor, as well as intricate interactions between genetic factors and the environment. Stress may either enhance optimal decision-making and reward-related approaches or contribute to cognitive impairments and ineffective coping mechanisms, falling along a spectrum from resilience to vulnerability. The impact of

A common trait of psychological disorders is an impairment in executing appropriate action under conflicting motivations. Indeed, balancing reward and risk is a fundamental brain process essential for survival. The brain assigns positive or negative value to external stimuli, facilitating approach or avoidance behaviors, respectively. Thus, dissecting the brain circuitry that controls these processes is essential towards a better understanding of brain function and the pathological processes in mental health. The laterodorsal tegmental area (LDTg) is a heterogeneous brain region which modulate