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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
Motivation and reinforcement in the systemic mechanisms of behavior: dynamic reinforcement engrams
1P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow.
Abstract:
Materials are presented which suggest the interaction of motivation and reinforcement in the systemic organization of behavioral acts in individual brain neurons. It was demonstrated that immune mechanisms participate in the interaction of motivation and reinforcement. It is postulated that reinforcement during learning, by means of backward afferentation, forms molecular reinforcement engrams in the neuronal structures of the action outcome acceptor. The molecular reinforcement engrams are built by processes of the synthesis of DNA and protein molecules in ribosomes. These engrams, during the succeeding appearances of the corresponding needs, are activated by the dominant motivation and in anticipation direct animals toward the satisfaction of their initial needs.
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