Prior Novelty Invigorates Future Mesolimbic Target Detection.

ABSTRACT: The ability to adapt to a dynamic world relies on detecting, learning, and responding to environmental changes. The detection of novelty serves as a critical indicator of such changes, priming mechanisms to detect and respond to goal-relevant information. However, neural regions that support novelty detection (hippocampus) and goal-directed behavior (dopaminergic midbrain [VTA] and prefrontal cortex [PFC]) have yet to be described as a sequential process that unfolds over time. Using a forward-prediction functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) model, we explored interactions between the hippocampus, VTA, and PFC in humans performing a novelty-imbued target-detection task. Hippocampal novelty activation predicted subsequent VTA target activation, enhancing readiness to detect goal-rele

SUBMITTER: Elliott BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12393253 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature