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Cited by 977Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Reward-motivated learning: mesolimbic activation precedes memory formation

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Adcock, R. Alison, Thangavel, Arul, Whitfield-Gabrieli, Susan, Knutson, Brian, Gabrieli, John D.E.·2006·Neuron
DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2006.03.036
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Abstract

We examined anticipatory mechanisms of reward-motivated memory formation using event-related FMRI. In a monetary incentive encoding task, cues signaled high- or low-value reward for memorizing an upcoming scene. When tested 24 hr postscan, subjects were significantly more likely to remember scenes that followed cues for high-value rather than low-value reward. A monetary incentive delay task independently localized regions responsive to reward anticipation. In the encoding task, high-reward cues preceding remembered but not forgotten scenes activated the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus. Across subjects, greater activation in these regions predicted superior memory performance. Within subject, increased correlation between the hippocampus and ventral tegmental area was associated with enhanced long-term memory for the subsequent scene. These findings demonstrate that brain activation preceding stimulus encoding can predict declarative memory formation. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that reward motivation promotes memory formation via dopamine release in the hippocampus prior to learning.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2006.03.036

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  • The prospect of receiving reward improved long-term episodic memory for novel stimuli in incidental and intentional encoding paradigms.

    “It was found that the prospect of receiving reward (e.g., monetary gain) improved long-term episodic memory for novel stimuli in incidental [47, 55–57] and intentional [46] encoding paradigms.”

    From A neoHebbian framework for episodic memory; role of dopamine-dependent late LTP (2011) · cites this paper as [46]

  • Reward-related memory enhancement was associated with co-activation of the SN/VTA, striatum, and hippocampus, as detected by fMRI.

    “This reward-related memory enhancement was associated with a co-activation of SN/VTA, striatum, and hippocampus, as detected by fMRI [46, 47].”

    From A neoHebbian framework for episodic memory; role of dopamine-dependent late LTP (2011) · cites this paper as [46]

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Authors
Adcock, R. A., Thangavel, A., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., Knutson, B., & Gabrieli, J. D. E.
Affiliations
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • Stanford University (US)
Corresponding author
Adcock, R. Alison
ORCID
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-05
Volume
50
Issue
3
Pages
507-517
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neuron.2006.03.036
OpenAlex
W2111873046
Cited by
977
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 73 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 64 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 61 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 44
FWCI
14.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH59940, R01MH059940)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
memory formation, reward anticipation, mesolimbic system, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, dopamine release, declarative memory, financial incentives
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Brain Mapping, Cues, Dopamine, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Learning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Motivation, Neural Pathways, Synaptic Transmission, Neuropsychological Tests, Nucleus Accumbens, Reward, Ventral Tegmental Area

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