The role of dopamine and serotonin in the primate caudate for decision-making under different emotional contexts.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University
• Principal Investigator: UEDA Yasumasa 関西医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (60332954)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ストレス / 大脳基底核 / 意思決定 / 行動制御 / セロトニン / ドーパミン / 霊長類 / 情動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been reported that cells that express information about stress are present in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and anatomically, the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) receive projections from this DRN. I researched to reveal the role of the basal ganglia under stress. I discovered that inappropriate behavioral selection occurs when animals feel strong stress, which is also seen in non-human primates. Furthermore, by recording the activity of neurons in the caudate nucleus of monkeys, we clarified that this inappropriate behavioral selection may be caused by the impairment of the information processing process in the basal ganglia, which is thought to be involved in appropriate behavioral selection, due to the input of strong emotional stress information. We also suggested that different neural circuits (direct and indirect pathways) in the caudate nucleus play circuit-specific roles in selecting correct behavior under stress.

Free Research Field

高次脳機能

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々は日々多くのストレスに耐えながら、自分、家族あるいはその他の目的のために正しい行動選択をしていかねばならない。しかし実際は多くの人が経験しているように、強いストレスを感じると、自分でも考えられないようなミスをしてしまうことがある。このことは、本人にとっても社会にとっても大きな損失となる。このミスの発生する神経メカニズムを明らかにすることで、適切な事故の予防策を開発することを目的としている。