Neural mechanisms of motivation to overcome disappointment using advanced optical measurement and manipulation techniques

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03547
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 51010:Basic brain sciences-related
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science (2022-2023); Kyoto University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Ogawa Masaaki 滋賀医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (00716186)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 林 勇一郎 関西医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (90378737)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 意欲

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Humans tend to set higher goals than their current state and, even in the case of disappointment when things don't go as expected, they strive to overcome these setbacks rather than give up, leading to future success. A lack of this motivation can result in social maladaptation. However, the neural mechanisms responsible for the drive to overcome disappointment are not yet understood. This study aims to elucidate these neural mechanisms by developing and introducing advanced methods for measuring and manipulating neural activity using light. Using rats, it was revealed that dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain, previously considered important for weakening behavior in response to disappointment, are a crucial neural basis for the motivation to overcome disappointment.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

意欲機能に果たすドーパミン細胞の役割の研究は世界中で盛んに行われており、神経科学分野における中心的な課題の一つである。これまでドーパミン細胞は、期待外れが生じると意欲を低下させると考えられてきた。一方、本研究は、期待外れが生じてもそれを乗り越える意欲を担うと考えられるドーパミン細胞の存在を明らかにした。この成果は、意欲機能に果たすドーパミン細胞の役割の理解を変える重要な成果であり、その学術的意義は高い。またドーパミン細胞は、うつ病や依存症、パーキンソン病などの精神・神経疾患と深い関わりがある。よって本研究成果は、将来的に、これらの疾患の理解と医療の変革につながる可能性がある。