Role of Dopamine Neurons in Reward and Aversion: A Synaptic Plasticity Perspective

Marco Pignatelli; Antonello Bonci

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2015.04.015

Role of Dopamine Neurons in Reward and Aversion: A Synaptic Plasticity Perspective

Neuron. 2015 Jun 3;86(5):1145-57. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.04.015.

Authors

Marco Pignatelli¹, Antonello Bonci²

Affiliations

¹ Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
² Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Neuroscience Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26050034
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.04.015

Abstract

The brain is wired to predict future outcomes. Experience-dependent plasticity at excitatory synapses within dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area, a key region for a broad range of motivated behaviors, is thought to be a fundamental cellular mechanism that enables adaptation to a dynamic environment. Thus, depending on the circumstances, dopamine neurons are capable of processing both positive and negative reinforcement learning strategies. In this review, we will discuss how changes in synaptic plasticity of dopamine neurons may affect dopamine release, as well as behavioral adaptations to different environmental conditions falling at opposite ends of a saliency spectrum ranging from reward to aversion.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Dopamine / physiology
Dopaminergic Neurons / physiology*
Humans
Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
Reinforcement, Psychology*
Reward*
Synapses / physiology*

Substances

Dopamine