Insights into the role of noradrenaline in effortful decisions.

Kristin Kaduk,Fadila Hadj-Bouziane

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3001545

Abstract

To maintain homeostasis, our brain tracks the effort exerted during decision-making. A new study in PLOS Biology shows that the activity of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) reflects the effort exerted to face cognitive or physical challenges.

Highlights

Effort might refer to physical or mental activity needed to achieve a goal
While physical effort is quantified with metabolic expenditure related to biomechanical costs, mental or cognitive effort is more difficult to measure, it expends metabolic resources [3]
Bouret and colleagues previously postulated that mobilizing resources to face challenges depends upon one deep brain structure, with about 15 000 neurons in primates, which contains the sole source of noradrenaline (NA): the locus coeruleus (LC) (Fig 1B)

Summary

Introduction

Effort might refer to physical or mental activity needed to achieve a goal. While physical effort is quantified with metabolic expenditure related to biomechanical costs, mental or cognitive effort is more difficult to measure, it expends metabolic resources [3].

Results

Conclusion