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Scientists Identify a Brain “Brake” That Blocks Motivation

Monkeys were trained to perform two types of tasks: one with reward only, and another where the reward comes with a punishment. The VS–VP pathway was specifically suppressed using chemogenetics. In the reward-only task, motivation to initiate action was unchanged. In contrast, in the task that combined reward and punishment, suppression of the VS–VP pathway restored action initiation that had been reduced under stress, demonstrating that this pathway functions as a “brake” on taking the first step toward action. (Source: Ashbi/ Kyoto University) arrow forward Image Zoom
Monkeys were trained to perform two types of tasks: one with reward only, and another where the reward comes with a punishment. The VS–VP pathway was specifically suppressed using chemogenetics. In the reward-only task, motivation to initiate action was unchanged. In contrast, in the task that combined reward and punishment, suppression of the VS–VP pathway restored action initiation that had been reduced under stress, demonstrating that this pathway functions as a “brake” on taking the first step toward action. (Source: Ashbi/ Kyoto University)
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