Rapid strengthening of thalamo-amygdala synapses mediates cue–reward learning

Neuronal changes is reward-directed learning Some people earn rewards more successfully than others when performing goal-directed tasks, but the neuronal changes that could mediate this reward-directed learning are not well understood. Tye et al. trained rats to self-administer a sucrose reward, and show that reward learning depends on increased activity and synaptic strength in the amygdala, a brain region important for emotional learning. The level of learning attained by individual animals correlated well with the degree of synaptic strength enhancement. An enhanced understanding of brain changes during reward learning will aid the development of therapeutic interventions for deficits in natural reward learning or cases of aberrant reward learning, such as drug addiction, or eating disorders.