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Medial Orbitofrontal Cortex Mediates Effort-related Responding in Rats
Alexandra Münster1, Wolfgang Hauber1
1Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|November 22, 2017
Summary
The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) is crucial for motivation and effort. Research shows mOFC lesions increase vigor, while stimulation reduces it, impacting effort-based decisions and psychostimulant effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Decision Neuroscience
Background:
- The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) is recognized for its role in flexible goal-directed behavior.
- Limited research suggests the mOFC may also regulate behavioral vigor and effort towards goals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the mOFC in effort-based decision-making and motivation.
- To determine if the mOFC modulates the behavioral effects of psychostimulants.
Main Methods:
- Excitotoxic lesions and pharmacological inhibition/stimulation of the mOFC in rodents.
- Assessment of responding under progressive ratio schedules and effort-based decision-making tasks.
- Measurement of neuronal activation (c-Fos) in the mOFC and its projections.
Main Results:
- mOFC lesions increased responding on progressive ratio schedules and preference for high-effort options.
- Pharmacological inhibition of mOFC increased, while stimulation reduced, progressive ratio responding.
- mOFC stimulation attenuated methylphenidate-induced increases in progressive ratio responding.
- While overall mOFC neuronal activation increased, projections to the nucleus accumbens did not show selective increases.
Conclusions:
- The mOFC plays a significant role in mediating effort-related motivational functions.
- The mOFC modulates the effort-related effects of psychostimulant drugs.
