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Striatal mechanisms underlying movement, reinforcement, and punishment
Alexxai V Kravitz1, Anatol C Kreitzer
1Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|June 13, 2012
Summary
This review proposes that direct pathway striatal neurons mediate reward and reinforcement, while indirect pathway neurons mediate aversion and punishment, extending known motor control functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor control
- Reward processing
Background:
- Striatal neurons, comprising direct and indirect pathways, traditionally regulate motor output through opposing actions.
- Existing models focus on the motor control roles of these pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a hypothetical extension of the current framework for striatal neuron function.
- To explore the potential roles of direct and indirect pathway striatal neurons in mediating reward and aversion, respectively.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature and proposing a novel hypothesis.
- Theoretical framework development based on current neurobiological understanding.
Main Results:
- Hypothesizes that direct pathway striatal neurons are involved in reinforcement and reward.
- Hypothesizes that indirect pathway striatal neurons are involved in punishment and aversion.
Conclusions:
- The direct/indirect pathway framework may extend beyond motor control to encompass reward and aversion.
- This extended framework offers new perspectives on the neural basis of motivated behaviors.
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