c-Fos-MMP-9 pathway in central amygdala mediates approach motivation but not reward consumption

Published: March 29, 2021, 1:03 a.m.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.04.17.044792v1?rss=1 Authors: Lebitko, T., Dzik, J., Jedrzejewska-Szmek, J., Chaturvedi, M., Jaworski, T., Nikolaev, T., Meyza, K., Kaczmarek, L., Knapska, E. Abstract: Although impairments of motivational and consummatory aspects of reward behavior are core symptoms of several psychiatric disorders, the underlying neural and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we report that blocking either c-Fos or matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the central amygdala disrupts approach motivation and appetitive discrimination learning, but not reward consumption. Further, we show that manipulation of c-Fos-MMP-9 pathway does not affect aversive motivation and learning. These findings reveal molecular mechanism of motivational anhedonia. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info