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The basolateral amygdala in reward learning and addiction
Kate M Wassum1, Alicia Izquierdo1
1Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|September 6, 2015
Summary
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) integrates reward value, history, and cost to guide behavior. Understanding BLA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays a crucial role in reward learning and information processing.
- Despite advances, its precise function in appetitive behavior requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and integrate findings on BLA function in reward-related behaviors.
- To explore BLA's role as a neural integrator of reward parameters.
Main Methods:
- Integration of traditional techniques (lesion, inactivation) with modern methods (cell-specific manipulation, neural recordings).
- Review of rodent and monkey appetitive behavioral tasks and computational models.
Main Results:
- The BLA integrates reward value, history, and cost to orchestrate adaptive responses.
- BLA codes dynamic outcome representations within a distributed neural network.
Conclusions:
- The BLA is essential for integrating diverse reward-related information.
- Opiate and psychostimulant experiences can induce long-term alterations in BLA function and behavior.
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