Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
Dopamine dips during unrewarded actions promote punishment-resistant reward seeking
Abstract:
Punishment-resistant reward-seeking, a hallmark of addiction, is less prominent in females than males. We found that chronic estradiol manipulations increased punishment resistance in female mice without increasing dopamine peaks on rewarded actions as expected, instead exaggerating dopamine dips on unrewarded actions; optogenetically mimicking these dips accelerated punishment resistance in females and males. These results suggest dopamine dips suppress learning from unrewarded actions, consistent with policy-based accounts of dopamine function.
Related Concept Videos
Punishment
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Reinforcement Schedules
Once a behavior is learned,...
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement in operant conditioning can be positive or negative, both of which serve to increase the likelihood of a behavior. Positive...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

