Cited by 2,574Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeural dynamics and brain function

Getting formal with dopamine and reward

Open access
Schultz, Wolfram·2002·Neuron

Abstract

Recent neurophysiological studies reveal that neurons in certain brain structures carry specific signals about past and future rewards. Dopamine neurons display a short-latency, phasic reward signal indicating the difference between actual and predicted rewards. The signal is useful for enhancing neuronal processing and learning behavioral reactions. It is distinctly different from dopamine's tonic enabling of numerous behavioral processes. Neurons in the striatum, frontal cortex, and amygdala also process reward information but provide more differentiated information for identifying and anticipating rewards and organizing goal-directed behavior. The different reward signals have complementary functions, and the optimal use of rewards in voluntary behavior would benefit from interactions between the signals. Addictive psychostimulant drugs may exert their action by amplifying the dopamine reward signal.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00967-4

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Authors
Schultz, W.
Affiliations
University of Fribourg (CH)
Corresponding author
Schultz, Wolfram
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-10
Volume
36
Issue
2
Pages
241-263
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1998152406
Cited by
2,574
References
208
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 101 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 76 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 87 · 2018: 91 · 2017: 88 · 2016: 117 · 2015: 113 · 2014: 146 · 2013: 130 · 2012: 138
FWCI
8.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (095495)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
dopamine, reward signals, prediction error, striatum, frontal cortex, amygdala, goal-directed behavior, stimulant use disorder
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Dopamine, Humans, Neurons, Reward, Illicit Drugs

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