Abstract
In this review, we highlight evidence that supports a role for the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) in motivated behavior. We include a neuroanatomical and neurochemical overview, outlining what is known of the cellular makeup of the region and its most prominent afferent and efferent connections. We discuss how these connections and distinctions across the anterior-posterior axis correspond to the perceived function of the PVT. We then focus on the hypothalamic-thalamic-striatal circuit and the neuroanatomical and functional placement of the PVT within this circuit. In this regard, the PVT is ideally positioned to integrate information regarding internal states and the external environment and translate it into motivated actions. Based on data that has emerged in recent years, including that from our laboratory, we posit that orexinergic (OX) innervation from the lateral hypothalamus (LH) to the PVT encodes the incentive motivational value of reward cues and thereby alters the signaling of the glutamatergic neurons projecting from the PVT to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh). The PVT-NAcSh pathway then modulates dopamine activity and resultant cue-motivated behaviors. As we and others apply novel tools and approaches to studying the PVT we will continue to refine the anatomical, cellular, and functional definitions currently ascribed to this nucleus and further elucidate its role in motivated behaviors.
Highlights
Behavioral neuroscience research has long been focused on unveiling the brain mechanisms underlying motivated behavior. Olds and Milner (1954) were among the first to identify brain structures involved in appetitive motivation and reinforcement learning
These findings point to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) as a critical node in the regulation of distinct cue-reward learning strategies, with the lateral hypothalamus (LH)-PVT-nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuit playing a specific role in incentive motivational processes
In merging the last decade of behavioral neuroscience research surrounding the PVT, we have provided an outline of how this midline thalamic nucleus acts as a critical node in motivated behavior
Summary
Behavioral neuroscience research has long been focused on unveiling the brain mechanisms underlying motivated behavior. Olds and Milner (1954) were among the first to identify brain structures involved in appetitive motivation and reinforcement learning. It was determined that input from the ventromedial hypothalamus to aPVT CRF neurons, and output from aPVT CRF neurons to the NAc, are critical components of the circuit that modulates reward-seeking behavior under competing demands of avoiding threats (Engelke et al, 2021) These studies collectively support a role for the PVT as an arbitrator that encodes the value of external stimuli and internal states and, in turn, facilitates adaptive behavior
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