Scientists of the brain that might control the motivation of the person to exercise

Scientists of the brain that might control the motivation of the person to exercise -

Scientists at the Children's Research Institute in Seattle have discovered an area of brain might control the motivation of a person to exercise and discover participate in other rewarding activities -. which may lead to improved treatments for depression

Dr. Eric Turner, principal researcher at the Center of the Seattle Children Research Institute for Integrative Brain Research, in collaboration with lead author Dr. Yun Wei (Toni) Hsu discovered that a small region of the brain - the dorsal medial habenula - the desire to exercise control mice. The structure of the habenula is similar in humans and rodents and the basic functions of regulation and mood motivation may be the same across species.

The exercise is one of the most effective non-pharmacological therapies for depression. Determine such specific brain region may be responsible for the motivation to exercise could help researchers develop more targeted, effective treatments for depression.

"Changes in physical activity and inability to enjoy the rewarding or pleasurable experiences are two characteristics of major depression," said Turner. "But officials ways of exercising motivation brain are not well understood. Now we can look for ways to manipulate the activity in this specific area of ​​the brain without affecting the rest of the brain's activity. "

The study of Dr. Turner, entitled" Role of Dorsal medial Habenula in the regulation of voluntary activity, Motor Function, hedonic state, and primary building ", was released today by the Journal of Neuroscience and funded by the National Institute for health mental and the National Institute on drug abuse. The study used mouse models that have been genetically modified to block the signals of the dorsal medial habenula. In the first part of the study, Dr Turner's team collaborated with Dr. Horacio de la Iglesia, professor in the Department of the University of Washington biology, show that compared to typical mice, who like running in their exercise wheels, designed the mouse gene were lethargic and ran much less. Turner genetically modified mice have also lost their preference for sweet drinking water.

"Without a medial dorsal habenula operation, the mice became couch potatoes," said Turner. "They were physically able to run, but seemed motivated to do it."
In a second group of mice, Dr. Turner the team activated the medial dorsal habenula using optogenetics - precision laser technology developed in collaboration with the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Mice can "choose" to activate this area of ​​the brain by turning one of two response wheels with their paws. Highly preferred mouse turn the wheel which stimulated the dorsal medial habenula, demonstrating that this area of ​​the brain is linked to a rewarding behavior.

Previous studies have attributed many different functions habenula, but the technology was not advanced enough to determine the roles of the different paragraphs of this region of the brain, including the dorsal medial habenula.

"traditional methods of stimulation could not isolate this part of the brain," said Turner. "But advanced technology at the Children's Research Institute in Seattle made discoveries as possible."

As a professor at the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Turner treats depression and hope that this research will make a difference in future patients' lives.

"Working in mental health can be frustrating," said Turner. "We have not made much progress in developing new treatments. I hope more we can learn about how the brain works more, we can help people with all kinds of mental illness. "