The nucleus accumbens (NAc)is an important contributor to the neural circuitry responsible for the engagement of goal-directed behavior (such as drug seeking) in response to environmental stimuli that predict reward availability. The research proposed here is an investigation of the physiological mechanisms by which the NAc processes stimuli and influences the probability that a stimulus will result in goal-directed behavior. The firing of NAc neurons can be divided into three broad categories: cue-evoked discharges, operant-related increases or decreases in firing, and reward-related firing changes. The information contained by these patterns will be determined by changing the information contained by the cue (for instance, where to go to get the reward) and examining whether and how the neural responses consequently change. The relationship between locomotor behavior and NAc neuron firing will be explicitly examined, particularly as it relates to cues that drive goal-directed behavior. In addition, the degree to which NAc neurons encode the reward predicted by cues will be examined. Although a great deal of behavioral pharmacology and anatomy research suggests that the roles of the NAc core, shell and rostral pole in behavior are different, few electrophysiological studies have identified differences in how neurons in these regions respond during behavioral tasks known to be controlled or influenced by the NAc.Therefore, a second goal of this project is to determine how NAc firing patterns are distributed among the subregions of the NAc. A third major goal of this work is to establish the role of the dopaminergic projection to the NAc in modulating neural firing during natural reward-seeking behavior. Microinjection of dopamine antagonists within the NAc intended to alter specific firing patterns will be used to establish a causal link between neural activity and reward-seeking behavior. These experiments will lead to a more complete understanding of how NAc neurons, and dopamine released within the NAc, contribute to the processes underlying natural reward. Such an understanding is essential for the determination of the neural mechanisms of drug reward.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA019473-06
Application #
7799905
Study Section
Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section (NMB)
Program Officer
Volman, Susan
Project Start
2006-04-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$312,766
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
110521739
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
Caref, Kevin; Nicola, Saleem M (2018) Endogenous opioids in the nucleus accumbens promote approach to high-fat food in the absence of caloric need. Elife 7:
Morrison, Sara E; McGinty, Vincent B; du Hoffmann, Johann et al. (2017) Limbic-motor integration by neural excitations and inhibitions in the nucleus accumbens. J Neurophysiol 118:2549-2567
du Hoffmann, Johann; Nicola, Saleem M (2016) Activation of Dopamine Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Promotes Sucrose-Reinforced Cued Approach Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 10:144
Nicola, Saleem M (2016) Reassessing wanting and liking in the study of mesolimbic influence on food intake. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 311:R811-R840
Lardeux, Sylvie; Kim, James J; Nicola, Saleem M (2015) Intermittent-access binge consumption of sweet high-fat liquid does not require opioid or dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Behav Brain Res 292:194-208
Morrison, Sara E; Bamkole, Michael A; Nicola, Saleem M (2015) Sign Tracking, but Not Goal Tracking, is Resistant to Outcome Devaluation. Front Neurosci 9:468
du Hoffmann, Johann; Nicola, Saleem M (2014) Dopamine invigorates reward seeking by promoting cue-evoked excitation in the nucleus accumbens. J Neurosci 34:14349-64
Morrison, Sara E; Nicola, Saleem M (2014) Neurons in the nucleus accumbens promote selection bias for nearer objects. J Neurosci 34:14147-62
McGinty, Vincent B; Lardeux, Sylvie; Taha, Sharif A et al. (2013) Invigoration of reward seeking by cue and proximity encoding in the nucleus accumbens. Neuron 78:910-22
Lardeux, Sylvie; Kim, James J; Nicola, Saleem M (2013) Intermittent access to sweet high-fat liquid induces increased palatability and motivation to consume in a rat model of binge consumption. Physiol Behav 114-115:21-31

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