A ventral hippocampus to nucleus accumbens pathway regulates impulsivity.

ABSTRACT: Heightened impulsivity is attributed with substance abuse disorders, gambling, and obesity. The ventral hippocampus (vHPC) has recently been linked with impulse control, yet the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms through which this control occurs are unknown. A subset of vHPC neurons project to the nucleus accumbens (ACB), a brain region known for regulating reward and motivation. Here, we evaluated the role of vHPC-ACB signaling in food-directed impulsivity using fiber photometry and transsynaptic chemogenetic and behavioral approaches. Male and female rats were trained in the differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) test of impulsive action, where they learn to withhold lever presses for 20 seconds to obtain a palatable food reward. Photometry recordings during

SUBMITTER: Klug ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667743 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature