Glutamine-to-glutamate ratio in the nucleus accumbens predicts effort-based motivated performance in humans.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_CA60F5DD6377
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Glutamine-to-glutamate ratio in the nucleus accumbens predicts effort-based motivated performance in humans.
Journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
ISSN
1740-634X (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0893-133X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
45
Number
12
Pages
2048-2057
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Substantial evidence implicates the nucleus accumbens in motivated performance, but very little is known about the neurochemical underpinnings of individual differences in motivation. Here, we applied <sup>1</sup> H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( <sup>1</sup> H-MRS) at ultra-high-field in the nucleus accumbens and inquired whether levels of glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), GABA or their ratios predict interindividual differences in effort-based motivated task performance. Given the incentive value of social competition, we also examined differences in performance under self-motivated or competition settings. Our results indicate that higher accumbal Gln-to-Glu ratio predicts better overall performance and reduced effort perception. As performance is the outcome of multiple cognitive, motor and physiological processes, we applied computational modeling to estimate best-fitting individual parameters related to specific processes modeled with utility, effort and performance functions. This model-based analysis revealed that accumbal Gln-to-Glu ratio specifically relates to stamina; i.e., the capacity to maintain performance over long periods. It also indicated that competition boosts performance from task onset, particularly for low Gln-to-Glu individuals. In conclusion, our findings provide novel insights implicating accumbal Gln and Glu balance on the prediction of specific computational components of motivated performance. This approach and findings can help developing therapeutic strategies based on targeting metabolism to ameliorate deficits in effort engagement.
Keywords
Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Nucleus Accumbens/diagnostic imaging
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
24/07/2020 14:03
Last modification date
08/08/2024 7:40