Brain Signals Governing Exploration Found
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 15:00 CST
French scientists have identified an area of the monkey brain that might be linked with addiction and mental illness in humans.
University of Lyon researchers presented monkeys with a task while recording electrical activity in neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, located beneath the frontal lobe.
The monkeys explored touch targets on a computer screen, discovering which target triggered a juice reward. They then could repeatedly touch the target for more juice, after which the computer screen was withdrawn.
Researchers analyzed activity of the ACC cells at the time of four events -- an incorrect choice, the first reward, a repeated reward, and withdrawal of the task. Analyses revealed distinct types of activity in the ACC cells corresponding to each event.
The ACC produces signals that discriminate between various behaviorally relevant positive and negative feedbacks, said Professor Emmanuel Procyk. These signals governing exploration are believed to be among those that malfunction in addiction and mental illness.
The study appears in the journal Neuron.
Source: United Press International
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