Activation of orexin neurons changes reward-based decision-making strategies.

ABSTRACT: Orexin neurons regulate physiological functions, including not only energy homeostasis and wakefulness but also motivated behaviors. These neurons play important roles in linking metabolic requirements to such behaviors. However, it is unknown whether these neurons are involved in reward-based choice behavior. We recently developed a transgenic rat line that expresses Cre recombinase exclusively in orexin neurons. Here, we examined the roles of orexin neurons in reward choice behavior under conditions of uncertainty in a gambling test in rats and analyzed the changes in choice behavior when orexin neurons were manipulated using chemogenetic approaches. In the gambling test, chemogenetic activation of orexin neurons resulted in risky arm choice. Positive, but not negative, reward-prediction

SUBMITTER: Mizoguchi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12578371 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature