A recent study from NYU Grossman School of Medicine challenges the conventional belief that rewards are the sole drivers of learning through the release of dopamine.
Researchers explored the interplay between dopamine and acetylcholine, both implicated in learning and memory.
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A study on hormones and memories
Contrary to the assumption that rewards induce learning by manipulating dopamine and acetylcholine levels, the study reveals that these hormones naturally fluctuate in a regular ebb-and-flow pattern within the brain, even in the absence of external incentives.
The research focused on understanding the circumstances under which dopamine and acetylcholine levels are simultaneously high or low.
These fluctuations were observed to occur consistently, setting the stage for continual learning.
The study involved observing mouse brain activity while the rodents engaged in voluntary physical activity, and the researchers measured hormone release at different intervals.
It was found that the ebb-and-flow cycles of dopamine and acetylcholine, approximately twice per second, persisted even before the rodents received water treats, and were unaffected by their movement.
Study results
While the study was not designed to draw conclusions about how human brains process information similarly, the findings suggest that the brain engages in "self-driven" learning and reflection, independent of external rewards.
The study's senior author, neuroscientist Nicolas Tritsch, suggests that the research may have implications for understanding neuropsychiatric conditions linked to dopamine imbalances, such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and depression.
The insights gained could potentially offer new perspectives on the mechanisms underlying these conditions and inform future research.
