研究人员确定了室下被盖核（SVTg）为脑干中的奖励中心。在小鼠中，奖励及其预测会激活SVTg，而SVTg的刺激则导致位置偏好、减少焦虑和伏隔核多巴胺释放。小鼠会自我刺激SVTg，SVTg也可以通过新皮层直接激活，从而有效抑制与抑郁相关的外侧缰核。该机制也可能解释了为何SVTg抑制会引发厌恶并增加恐惧。
这些发现的转化相关性得到了大鼠、猴子和人类脑干证据的支持，确立了SVTg作为奖励处理、情感效价和动机的关键枢纽。
研究人员表示，奖励对于动机、决策、记忆和心理健康至关重要。
附：英文原文
Title: Identification of the subventricular tegmental nucleus as brainstem reward center
Author: Krisztián Zichó, Boldizsár Zsolt Balog, Réka Z. Sebestény, János Brunner, Virág Takács, Albert M. Barth, Charlotte Seng, áron Orosz, Manó Aliczki, Hunor Sebk, Eva Mikics, Csaba Fldy, János Szabadics, Gábor Nyiri
Issue&Volume: 2025-01-24
Abstract: Rewards are essential for motivation, decision-making, memory, and mental health. We identified the subventricular tegmental nucleus (SVTg) as a brainstem reward center. In mice, reward and its prediction activate the SVTg, and SVTg stimulation leads to place preference, reduced anxiety, and accumbal dopamine release. Mice self-stimulate the SVTg, which can also be activated directly by the neocortex, resulting in effective inhibition of the lateral habenula, a region associated with depression. This mechanism may also explain why SVTg suppression induces aversion and increases fear. The translational relevance of these findings is supported by evidence in the rat, monkey, and human brainstem, establishing SVTg as a key hub for reward processing, emotional valence, and motivation.
DOI: adr2191
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr2191