Mild forced exercise in young mice prevents anergia induced by dopamine depletion in late adulthood: Relation to CDNF and DARPP-32 phosphorylation patterns in nucleus accumbens.

Mesolimbic dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in behavioral activation and exertion of effort in motivated behaviors. DA antagonism and depletion in nucleus accumbens (Nacb) induces anergia in effort-based decision-making tasks. Exercise improves motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Pharmacological characterization of sex differences in the effects of dopaminergic drugs on effort-based decision making in rats.

Rationale: Motivational dysfunctions related to effort exertion are common in psychiatric disorders. Dopamine systems regulate exertion of effort and effort-based choice in humans and rodents.

Objectives: Previous rodent studies mainly employed male rats, and it is imperative to conduct studies in male and female rats.

TBCRC 057: Survey about willingness to participate in cancer clinical trials during the pandemic.

Background: Breast cancer patients experienced heightened anxiety during the pandemic. Also, modifications to clinical trial activities allowing for virtual platforms, local assessments, and greater flexibility were introduced to facilitate participation. We sought to evaluate the association between pandemic-related anxiety and willingness to participate in trials and how pandemic-era modifications to trial activities affect the decision to participate.

Potential therapeutics for effort-related motivational dysfunction: assessing novel atypical dopamine transport inhibitors.

People with depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders can experience motivational dysfunctions such as fatigue and anergia, which involve reduced exertion of effort in goal-directed activity. To model effort-related motivational dysfunction, effort-based choice tasks can be used, in which rats can select between obtaining a preferred reinforcer by high exertion of effort vs. a low effort/less preferred option.

The Neurobiology of Activational Aspects of Motivation: Exertion of Effort, Effort-Based Decision Making, and the Role of Dopamine.

Motivational processes are complex and multifaceted, with both directional and activational aspects. Behavioral activation and exertion of effort are functions that enable organisms to overcome obstacles separating them from significant outcomes. In a complex environment, organisms make cost/benefit decisions, assessing work-related response costs and reinforcer preference.