Project 141: The Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Reward Learning with Nucleus Accumbens Intervention
Contact Information
Prof. Tifei Yuan
Email: ytf0707@126.com
Project Description and Objectives
The nucleus accumbens is the key brain structure for addiction. Exposure to addictive drugs causes an increase in dopamine release in the brain, leading to neuronal activation and changes in synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens, which are considered as an important mechanism of addiction. The effect of electrical stimulation on reward learning with nucleus accumbens (NAc) intervention isexplored in the context of neurobiological target for restoring reward motivation andresponsiveness in individuals with anhedonia. Activation of D1R or D2R MSNs inthe NAc promotes self-stimulation and increases motivation. Computer-basedtasks are used to investigate different subdomains of anhedonia. Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is employed to identify patterns of brain stimulation that arerewarding when applied to the NAc. This project aims to explore the effect of the electrical stimulation on reward learning with NAc intervention in human.
Eligibility Requirements
Fluent English writing and speaking.
Undergraduate student of biology, neuroscience, or medicine.
Animal behavior experiment experience.
Main Tasks
Perform experiments, analyze experiments, and write a research report.
Give a research presentation: technical presentation.
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