Brain Morphology and Function Report

Basic Information

Name	Reward system
Brain Morphology	In neuroscience, the reward system is a collection of brain structures which attempts to regulate and control behavior by inducing pleasurable effects. The neurological reward system is part of what makes reinforcement possible. The major neurochemical pathway of the reward system in the brain involves the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway. Of these pathways, the mesolimbic pathway plays the major role, and goes from the ventral tegmental area via the medial forebrain bundle to nucleus accumbens, which is the primary release site for the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine acts on D1 or D2 receptors to either stimulate (D1) or inhibit (D2) the production of cAMP.
Brain Function	A psychological reward is a process that reinforces behavior- something that, when offered, causes a behavior to increase in intensity. Reward is an operational concept for describing the positive value an individual ascribes to an object, behavioral act or an internal physical state. Natural rewards include those that are necessary for the survival of species, such as eating, drinking, sex, and fighting. Secondary rewards derive their value from the primary reward, and include shelter, money, pleasant touch, beauty, music, etc. The functions of rewards are based directly on the modification of behavior and indirectly on the sensory properties of rewards. For instance, altruism may induce a larger psychological reward, although it doesn't cause sensations. Rewards are generally considered more effective than punishment in enforcing positive behavior. Rewards induce learning, approach behavior and feelings of positive emotions.
No. of Studies (Positive/Negative)	7(7/0)

Positive relationships between Reward system and MDD (count: 5)

Name in Literature	Reference	Research Type	Relation Description
brain reward system	Schlaepfer, 2008	patients only	Dysfunctions of the reward system--in which the nucleus accu...... Dysfunctions of the reward system--in which the nucleus accumbens is a key structure--are implicated in the neurobiology of major depression. More...
brain reward system	Epstein, 2006	patients and normal controls	This finding supports a pathophysiological model of depressi...... This finding supports a pathophysiological model of depression that includes reward/motivational pathway dysfunction. More...
brain reward system	Smoski, 2009	patients and normal controls	hyporesponsivity of reward systems in MDD hyporesponsivity of reward systems in MDD
brain reward system	Forbes, 2006	patients and normal controls	Participants with MDD exhibited less neural response than co...... Participants with MDD exhibited less neural response than control participants in reward-related brain areas during both phases of the task. More...
reward network	Smoski, 2011	patients and normal controls	Results suggest reduced reward network activation in MDD whe...... Results suggest reduced reward network activation in MDD when anticipating rewards. More...

Positive relationships between Reward system and other components at different levels (count: 5)

Genetic/epigenetic locus					Protein and other molecule			Cell and molecular pathway			Neural system			Cognition and behavior		Symptoms and signs			Environment

Name in Literature	Level	Approved Name(Name in Literature)	Type	Reference	Research Type	Relation Description
Name in Literature	Related Components
reward system		DRD2(dopamine D2 receptor)	gene	Cohen, 2005	normal people	D2 Taq1A allele predicted a significant amount of inter-sub...... D2 Taq1A allele predicted a significant amount of inter-subject variability in the magnitudes of reward-related activations More...
brain reward system		KCNK2(TREK1)	gene	Dillon, 2010	normal people	Results revealed that TREK1 and DAT/COMT genotypes were inde...... Results revealed that TREK1 and DAT/COMT genotypes were independently related to basal ganglia responses to gains. These findings indicate that TREK1 genotypes are associated with individual differences in reward-related brain activity. More...
brain reward system		Nucleus accumbens(nucleus accumbens (NAcc))	brain morphology and function	Schlaepfer, 2008	patients only	Dysfunctions of the reward system--in which the nucleus accu...... Dysfunctions of the reward system--in which the nucleus accumbens is a key structure--are implicated in the neurobiology of major depression and might be responsible for impaired reward processing, as evidenced by the symptom of anhedonia. More...
brain reward system		Increased agitation(anxiety)	symptoms	Forbes, 2006	patients and normal controls	Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with activat...... Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with activation in reward-related brain areas. More...
brain reward system		Depressed mood(depression)	symptoms	Forbes, 2006	patients and normal controls	Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with activat...... Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with activation in reward-related brain areas. More...

Positive relationship network of Reward system in MK4MDD

Network loading ...

Note:
1. The different color of the nodes denotes the level of the nodes.

Genetic/Epigenetic Locus	Protein and Other Molecule	Cell and Molecular Pathway	Neural System	Cognition and Behavior	Symptoms and Signs	Environment	MDD

2. User can drag the nodes to rearrange the layout of the network. Click the node will enter the report page of the node. Right-click will show also the menus to link to the report page of the node and remove the node and related edges. Hover the node will show the level of the node and hover the edge will show the evidence/description of the edge.
3. The network is generated using Cytoscape Web

Negative relationships between Reward system and MDD (count: 0)

Negative relationships between Reward system and other components at different levels (count: 0)

Reward system involved components (count: 11)

Name	Type
Nucleus accumbens	brain morphology and function
Caudate nucleus	brain morphology and function
Putamen	brain morphology and function
Thalamus	brain morphology and function
Orbitofrontal cortex	brain morphology and function
Insula	brain morphology and function
Anterior cingulate cortex	brain morphology and function
Posterior cingulate cortex	brain morphology and function
Inferior parietal lobule	brain morphology and function
Prefrontal cortex	brain morphology and function
Reward system	brain morphology and function