Dopamine Neurons Are a Mixed Bunch

Masayuki Matsumoto and Okihide Hikosaka report that in monkeys, two types of dopamine neuron distinctly convey positive and negative motivational signals. The different cell types, located in slightly different brain regions, have specific responses to pleasant and unpleasant stimuli, as well as to the trigger stimuli that have become linked with these events.

The findings contradict the view that dopamine neurons act as a functionally homogeneous group, guiding motor learning by reward-related signals. Here, separate groups of dopamine neurons transmit signals related to 'salience' and 'value.'

Author contact:

Masayuki Matsumoto (National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA)
E-Mail: matsumotom@nei.nih.gov

Abstract available online.

(C) Nature press release.

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza