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
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employ in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, to monitor of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal fluid ...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
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...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
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/dx.doi.org/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- 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
-
The Use of Bifunctional NOP/Mu and NOP Receptor Selective Compounds for the Treatment of Pain, Drug Abuse, and Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Cytokines in Sleep Regulation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of the Autonomic Nervous System and Neuropeptides in the Development of Obesity in Humans: Targets for Therapy?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Genotype-Dependent Differences in Sleep, Vigilance, and Response to Stimulants
Current Pharmaceutical Design Fibromyalgia and Related Syndromes Characterised by Stress Intolerance and Pain Hypersensitivity: Do We Need a New Nosology?
Current Rheumatology Reviews Drug-Induced Hypothermia in Stroke Models: Does it Always Protect?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Interaction of NO and VIP in Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Relaxation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Concepts for Biologically Active Peptides
Current Pharmaceutical Design Systemic Administration of Antipsychotic Asenapine Pre or Postnatal does not Induce Anxiety-like Behaviors in Mice
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Concept of Dysregulated Signal Transduction and Gene Expression in the Pathophysiology of Mood Disorders
Current Psychiatry Reviews Maternal Sodium Valproate Exposure Alters Neuroendocrine-Cytokines and Oxido-inflammatory Axes in Neonatal Albino Rats
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Ligand-receptor Engineering and its Application Towards the Complementation of Genetic Disease and Target Identification
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Glucocorticoid Regulates Parkin Expression in Mouse Frontal Cortex: Implications in Schizophrenia
Current Neuropharmacology The Mechanisms Involved in Obesity-Induced Male Infertility
Current Diabetes Reviews Monoaminergic Receptors as Modulators of the Perivascular Sympathetic and Sensory CGRPergic Outflows
Current Neuropharmacology Constitutively Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptors: A Novel Approach to CNS Drug Discovery
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation of Sertoli Cell Development and Proliferation: A Key Process for Spermatogenesis
Current Molecular Pharmacology Menstrual Disorders Related to Eating Disorders
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Gut-Brain Axis and Metabolism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Design Anti-Cancer Drugs Targeting Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS)
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery