Define vigor
Here, we show that aIC neurons expressing Fezf2 (aIC Fezf2), which are the pyramidal tract neurons, signal motivational vigor and invigorate need-seeking behavior through projections to the brainstem nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). The anterior insular cortex (aIC) plays a critical role in cognitive and motivational control of behavior, but the underlying neural mechanism remains elusive. aIC Fezf2 → NTS function depends on both learning and homeostatic demand.aIC Fezf2 → NTS controls vigor, effort, and striatal dopamine release.The anticipatory activity encodes the perceived value and motivation.Neurons in the aIC Fezf2 → NTS circuit acquire anticipatory activity through learning.CellĪcute Sleep Loss May Alter the Way We See OthersĪ genetically defined insula-brainstem circuit selectively controls motivational vigor Highlights
“ A genetically defined insula-brainstem circuit selectively controls motivational vigor” by Bo Li et al. Image: The image is credited to Li lab/CSHL, 2021 Li says, “We want to selectively increase the motivation of the person so that they can do the things that they need to do, but we don’t want to create addictive drugs.” About this neuroscience and motivation research news When mice drank their fill of sugar water and were satiated, they would not lick or run faster to get more sugar, even if the researchers dialed up the activity of the Fezf2 neurons.įinding a way to fine-tune the human equivalent of these neurons might help people struggling with motivation due to mental illnesses like depression. Li and his team were surprised to discover a feature that prevents the mice from becoming addicted to the tasks and their rewards. These cells activate a gene called Fezf2 and are connected to and activate other neurons, which are stained green in this image of a mouse brain. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Bo Li discovered a cluster of neurons in the mouse brain that influence motivation. The same effect occurred with other tasks. The mice ran faster if the Fezf2 neurons were stimulated.
The researchers saw a similar result in another experiment in which the mice ran on a wheel to receive a reward. If the neuron activity was dialed down, the mice would lick more slowly. When researchers dialed up the activity of these Fezf2 neurons, mice would lick more vigorously. Mice were trained to lick a water bottle spout to receive a small sugar reward. Li and his lab hypothesized that these neurons do not affect the mouse’s ability to do the task rather, the brain cells influence the mouse’s motivational drive. A set of neurons that activate a gene called Fezf2( Fezf2 neurons) in this area are active when mice are doing both physical and cognitive tasks. The anterior insular cortex is a region of the brain that plays a critical role in motivation. The findings may point to new therapeutic strategies for treating mental illnesses like depression that affect motivation in humans. These neurons have a feature that prevents the mouse from becoming addicted to the reward. Josh Huang, discovered a group of neurons in the mouse brain that influences the animal’s motivation to perform tasks for rewards.ĭialing up the activity of these neurons makes a mouse work faster or more vigorously-up to a point. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professor Bo Li, in collaboration with CSHL Adjunct Professor Z. Summary: Researchers implicate neurons in the anterior insula cortex as a driving force for motivation in the brain, according to a new mouse study.Ī characteristic of depression is a lack of motivation.