The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been considered a key brain region for encoding reward/aversion and cue–outcome associations. These processes are encoded by medium spiny neurons that express either dopamine receptor D1 (D1-MSNs) or D2 (D2-MSNs). Despite the well-established role of NAc neurons in encoding reward/aversion, the underlying processing by D1-/D2-MSNs remains largely unknown. Recent electrophysiological, optogenetic and calcium imaging studies provided insight on the complex role of D1- and D2-MSNs in these behaviours and helped to clarify their involvement in associative learning. Here, we critically discuss findings supporting an intricate and complementary role of NAc D1- and D2-MSNs in associative learning, emphasizing the need for additional studies in order to fully understand the role of these neurons in behaviour.
CITATION STYLE
Domingues, A. V., Rodrigues, A. J., & Soares-Cunha, C. (2023, November 1). A novel perspective on the role of nucleus accumbens neurons in encoding associative learning. FEBS Letters. John Wiley and Sons Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.14727
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