Allison Elizabeth Hamilos

Abstract Dopamine neurons (DANs) play seemingly distinct roles in reinforcement, motivation, and movement, and DA-modulating therapies relieve symptoms across a puzzling spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. Yet, the mechanistic relationship among these roles is unknown. Here, we show DA's tripartite roles are causally linked by a process in which phasic striatal DA rapidly and persistently recalibrates the propensity to move, a measure of vigor.

Abstract Dopaminergic neurons (DANs) exhibit complex dynamics across a variety of behavioral contexts, often in ways that seem task-specific and even incompatible with results across different paradigms. Dopaminergic signaling during timing tasks has been a prime example.