Area of Brain Responsible for Exercise Motivation Discovered
Scientists at the Institute of Seattle Children's Research have discovered a brain region that could control a person's motivation to exercise and participate in other rewarding activities - which could lead to better treatments for depression.
Dr. Eric Turner, senior fellow at the Institute for Research on the Comprehensive Brain Child of Seattle, in collaboration with lead author Dr. Yun-Wei (Toni) Hsu, found that a small region of the brain - the dorsal habenula internal - control the desire to exercise in mice. The structure of the habenula is similar in humans and rodents and basic functions of regulation and mood motivation may be the same in all species.
Exercise is one of the most effective non-pharmacological therapies for depression. Determine that such a specific area of the brain may be responsible for the motivation to exercise can help researchers develop more targeted, effective treatments for depression.
"Changes in physical activity and the inability to enjoy rewarding or pleasurable experiences are two features of major depression," Turner said. "But the pathways responsible for the brain fitness motivation is not well understood. Now we can find ways to manipulate the activity in this specific area of the brain without affecting other brain activity."
The study by Dr. Turner, "The role of the dorsal medial habenula in the regulation of voluntary activity, motor function, hedonic state, and primary reinforcement", was released by the Journal of Neuroscience today and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mouse models used to study have been genetically modified to block signals in the dorsal medial habenula. In the first part of the study, the team of Dr. Turner has worked with Dr. Horacio de la Iglesia, a professor of biology at the University of Washington, to show that, compared to typical mice, which would run on the wheel the year, the mice were genetically engineered lethargic and run much less. Mice GM Turner also lost their preference for sweet drinking water.
"Without a dorsal medial habenula operation, the mouse has become couch potatoes," Turner said. "They were physically able to run, but they seemed motivated to do so."
In a second group of mice, the team of Dr. Turner activates the dorsal medial habenula using optogenetics - precision laser technology developed in collaboration with the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The mouse can "choose" to activate this brain area respond by turning the wheel with his paws. Mice sought spin the wheel, which stimulated the dorsal medial habenula, showing that this brain region is linked to reward behavior.
Previous studies have attributed habenula many different functions, but the technology was not advanced enough to determine the functions of the various sections of this region of the brain, including the dorsal medial habenula.
"Traditional methods of stimulation could not isolate this part of the brain," Turner said. "But the technology at the Institute of Seattle Children's Research made discoveries like this possible."
As a professor at the University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Washington, Dr. Turner treats depression and hope that this research will make a difference in the lives of future patients.
"Working in mental health can be frustrating," Turner said. "We have made great progress in developing new treatments. Hopefully we can learn more about how it works the more we can help people with all types of mental illness in the brain."
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