Differential rewarding effects of electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus and parabrachial complex: Functional characterization and the relevance of opioid systems and dopamine

What is it about?

Brain reward systems are more complex than it was initially thought. Dopaminergic mesolimbic system appears to be responsible of motivation. Other neurotransmitters and circuits seems to be involved in the processing of the hedonic component or reward. We analize the involvement of the External Lateral Parabrachial Nucleus in the processing of natural (food) and artificial reward (electrical stimulation), which is blocked by naloxone's administration. On the contrary, naloxone has not effect on electrical self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus.

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Why is it important?

We add some evidence about the involvement of a particular area of the brainstem, the PBle, which receives visceral information through the vagus nerve and the NTS, in the processing of the hedonic/affective aspect of reward induced by natural and artificial stimuli.