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Activation of D2 dopamine receptor-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens increases motivation

Author

Listed:
  • Carina Soares-Cunha

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Barbara Coimbra

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Ana David-Pereira

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Sonia Borges

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Luisa Pinto

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Patricio Costa

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Nuno Sousa

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

  • Ana J. Rodrigues

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho
    ICVS/3B’s–PT Government Associate Laboratory)

Abstract

Striatal dopamine receptor D1-expressing neurons have been classically associated with positive reinforcement and reward, whereas D2 neurons are associated with negative reinforcement and aversion. Here we demonstrate that the pattern of activation of D1 and D2 neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) predicts motivational drive, and that optogenetic activation of either neuronal population enhances motivation in mice. Using a different approach in rats, we further show that activating NAc D2 neurons increases cue-induced motivational drive in control animals and in a model that presents anhedonia and motivational deficits; conversely, optogenetic inhibition of D2 neurons decreases motivation. Our results suggest that the classic view of D1–D2 functional antagonism does not hold true for all dimensions of reward-related behaviours, and that D2 neurons may play a more prominent pro-motivation role than originally anticipated.

Suggested Citation

  • Carina Soares-Cunha & Barbara Coimbra & Ana David-Pereira & Sonia Borges & Luisa Pinto & Patricio Costa & Nuno Sousa & Ana J. Rodrigues, 2016. "Activation of D2 dopamine receptor-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens increases motivation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11829
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11829
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    Cited by:

    1. Terra A. Schall & King-Lun Li & Xiguang Qi & Brian T. Lee & William J. Wright & Erin E. Alpaugh & Rachel J. Zhao & Jianwei Liu & Qize Li & Bo Zeng & Lirong Wang & Yanhua H. Huang & Oliver M. Schlüter , 2024. "Temporal dynamics of nucleus accumbens neurons in male mice during reward seeking," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Roman Walle & Anna Petitbon & Giulia R. Fois & Christophe Varin & Enrica Montalban & Lola Hardt & Andrea Contini & Maria Florencia Angelo & Mylène Potier & Rodrigue Ortole & Asma Oummadi & Véronique S, 2024. "Nucleus accumbens D1- and D2-expressing neurons control the balance between feeding and activity-mediated energy expenditure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Tadaaki Nishioka & Suthinee Attachaipanich & Kosuke Hamaguchi & Michael Lazarus & Alban Kerchove d’Exaerde & Tom Macpherson & Takatoshi Hikida, 2023. "Error-related signaling in nucleus accumbens D2 receptor-expressing neurons guides inhibition-based choice behavior in mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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