The lab is awarded a new NIDA R01 to study incentive versus expected value

The lab was recently awarded a new NIH Research Project Grant Program (R01) from NIDA to study the neural mechanisms of incentive motivated and goal-directed reward-seeking behaviors. The incentive motivational value of drug-associated cues drives several facets of addiction, including escalation of drug use and the propensity to relapse even after long periods of abstinence. Cues with high incentive value elicit complex motivational and emotional states, invigorating reward-seeking behaviors that are incommensurate with the value of expected rewards. In contrast, goal-directed reward-seeking behavior relies on accurate mental representations of the expected value of predicted outcomes. Effective long-term treatments for addiction must precisely target brain mechanisms of behaviors driven by the incentive value of cues, while sparing or facilitating healthy decision-making, including goal-directed control of behavior. Yet, we know little about how the brain mechanisms underlying incentive motivation are related to those required for mental representations of future rewards. This project utilizes single unit and circuit/cell-type specific approaches to understand the relationship between the neural circuit mechanisms underlying these distinct drivers of reward-seeking behavior. Specifically, we are exploring the hypothesis that incentive and expected value representations are encoded by distinct ventral pallidal projections to the ventral tegmental area versus the mediodorsal thalamus.

We are looking for new team members at all levels to help us with this and other projects! More information can be found in the Join the Lab section of the website, which will be updated with specific postings as they are available. In the meantime please feel free to reach out to Dr. Richard (richardj@umn.edu) if you’re looking to join us.