Abstract
In an attempt to resolve controversy regarding the causal contributions of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) systems to reward, we evaluate the three main competing explanatory categories: “liking,”“learning,” and “wanting” [1]. That is, DA may mediate (a) the hedonic impact of reward (liking), (b) learned predictions about rewarding effects (learning), or (c) the pursuit of rewards by attributing incentive salience to reward-related stimuli (wanting). We evaluate these hypotheses, especially as they relate to the Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), and we find that the incentive salience or “wanting” hypothesis of DA function is supported by a majority of the evidence. Neuroimaging studies have shown that drugs of abuse, palatable foods, and anticipated behaviors such as sex and gaming affect brain regions involving reward circuitry, and may not be unidirectional. Drugs of abuse enhance DA signaling and sensitize mesolimbic mechanisms that evolved to attribute incentive salience to rewards. Addictive drugs have in common that they are voluntarily selfadministered, they enhance (directly or indirectly) dopaminergic synaptic function in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), and they stimulate the functioning of brain reward circuitry (producing the “high” that drug users seek). Although originally believed simply to encode the set point of hedonic tone, these circuits now are believed to be functionally more complex, also encoding attention, reward expectancy, disconfirmation of reward expectancy, and incentive motivation. Elevated stress levels, together with polymorphisms of dopaminergic genes and other neurotransmitter genetic variants, may have a cumulative effect on vulnerability to addiction. The RDS model of etiology holds very well for a variety of chemical and behavioral addictions.
Keywords: Reward deficiency syndrome (RDS), neuroimaging, dopamine, “wanting” and “liking”, amygdala, corticotrophin, mesocorticolimbic, Rolandic operculum, mesolimbic, mu-opioid receptor
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: “Liking” and “Wanting” Linked to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Hypothesizing Differential Responsivity in Brain Reward Circuitry
Volume: 18 Issue: 1
Author(s): Kenneth Blum, Eliot Gardner, Marlene Oscar-Berman and Mark Gold
Affiliation:
Keywords: Reward deficiency syndrome (RDS), neuroimaging, dopamine, “wanting” and “liking”, amygdala, corticotrophin, mesocorticolimbic, Rolandic operculum, mesolimbic, mu-opioid receptor
Abstract: In an attempt to resolve controversy regarding the causal contributions of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) systems to reward, we evaluate the three main competing explanatory categories: “liking,”“learning,” and “wanting” [1]. That is, DA may mediate (a) the hedonic impact of reward (liking), (b) learned predictions about rewarding effects (learning), or (c) the pursuit of rewards by attributing incentive salience to reward-related stimuli (wanting). We evaluate these hypotheses, especially as they relate to the Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), and we find that the incentive salience or “wanting” hypothesis of DA function is supported by a majority of the evidence. Neuroimaging studies have shown that drugs of abuse, palatable foods, and anticipated behaviors such as sex and gaming affect brain regions involving reward circuitry, and may not be unidirectional. Drugs of abuse enhance DA signaling and sensitize mesolimbic mechanisms that evolved to attribute incentive salience to rewards. Addictive drugs have in common that they are voluntarily selfadministered, they enhance (directly or indirectly) dopaminergic synaptic function in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), and they stimulate the functioning of brain reward circuitry (producing the “high” that drug users seek). Although originally believed simply to encode the set point of hedonic tone, these circuits now are believed to be functionally more complex, also encoding attention, reward expectancy, disconfirmation of reward expectancy, and incentive motivation. Elevated stress levels, together with polymorphisms of dopaminergic genes and other neurotransmitter genetic variants, may have a cumulative effect on vulnerability to addiction. The RDS model of etiology holds very well for a variety of chemical and behavioral addictions.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Blum Kenneth, Gardner Eliot, Oscar-Berman Marlene and Gold Mark, “Liking” and “Wanting” Linked to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Hypothesizing Differential Responsivity in Brain Reward Circuitry, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212798919110
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212798919110 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Decoding the Inter-Relationship between Sleep Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Physio-Pharmacological Role of the NPS/NPSR System in Psychiatric Disorders: A Translational Overview
Current Protein & Peptide Science The Role of Brain Gaseous Transmitters in the Regulation of the Circulatory System
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology A Review of the Evidence for a Neuroendocrine Link Between Stress, Depression and Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Patent Selections:
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Leptin, Immune Responses and Autoimmune Disease. Perspectives on the Use of Leptin Antagonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Vicious Circle of Leptin and Obesity
Current Nutrition & Food Science The Influence of Hypothalamic Cytokine PRP on Protein Synthesis in Brain Subcellular Compartments in Crush Syndrome
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Ovulation, Implantation and Placentation in Females with Obesity and Metabolic Disorders: Life in the Balance
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Biological Rationale for Regular Physical Exercise as an Effective Intervention for the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Intra-uterine Growth Retardation as a Risk Factor of Postnatal Metabolic Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Role of Adipokines in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Hypertension Reviews N-3 (Omega-3) Fatty Acids: Effects on Brain Dopamine Systems and Potential Role in the Etiology and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Role of Estrogen Receptors and GPR30/GPER in Glucose Homeostasis
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) The Emerging Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Sleep-Wake Cycle Modulation
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Melatonin Role in Experimental Arthritis
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Leptin as Clinical Target
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Is there a Possible Single Mediator in Modulating Neuroendocrine–thymus Interaction in Ageing?
Current Aging Science Depression and Disturbed Bone Metabolism: A Narrative Review of the Epidemiological Findings and Postulated Mechanisms
Current Molecular Medicine Molecular Methods for Individualization of Psychotropic Drug Treatment
Current Pharmacogenomics