Reward-Seeking Behavior in Human Narcolepsy

Reward-seeking behavior in human narcolepsy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The hypocretin system enhances signaling in the mesolimbic pathways regulating reward processing and addiction. Because individuals with narcolepsy with cataplexy have low hypocretin levels, we hypothesized that they may be less prone to risk- and reward-seeking behaviors, including substance abuse. DESIGN Endpoints were performance on an array of psychometric tests (includin...

Orquestic regulation of neurotransmitters on reward-seeking behavior

The ventral tegmental area is strongly associated with the reward system. Dopamine is released in areas such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex as a result of rewarding experiences such as food, sex, and neutral stimuli that become associated with them. Electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area or its output pathways can itself serve as a potent reward. Different drugs th...

Predictors of impulsivity and reward seeking behavior with dopamine agonists.

Three hundred consecutive patients taking DA either for Parkinson's disease (PD, 207), restless legs syndrome (RLS, 89), or both (4) were interviewed about changes in gambling, spending, sexual activity, or other impulsive activities subsequent to DA. Regression models identified risk factors for impulsivity. Overall, 19.7% reported any increased impulsivity: 30 gambling, 26 spending, 11 sexual...

Asymptotic Behavior of Multivariate Reward Processes with Nonlinear Reward Functions

Extinction Can Reduce the Impact of Reward Cues on Reward-Seeking Behavior.

Reward-associated cues are thought to promote relapse after treatment of appetitive disorders such as drug-taking, binge eating, and gambling. This process has been modelled in the laboratory using a Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT) design in which Pavlovian cues facilitate instrumental reward-directed action. Attempts to reduce facilitation by cue exposure (extinction) have produced mixed...