# Elucidating the interaction between stress- and reward-mechanisms mediating individual differences in cue motivated behaviors

> **NIH NIH F99** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $38,520

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Through associative learning processes, cues in the environment become predictors of biologically relevant
stimuli (e.g. food). However, when attributed with incentive value, such cues can become powerful motivators of
maladaptive behavior. For example, addicts often relapse upon exposure to cues (e.g. people, paraphernalia)
previously associated with the drug-taking experience. Using an animal model that captures individual variation
in the propensity to attribute incentive value to reward cues, we can investigate the neurobiological mechanisms
underlying cue-motivated psychopathologies like addiction. Rats that undergo Pavlovian training, consisting of
cue presentation followed by delivery of a food reward, will often develop either a sign- or goal-tracking
conditioned response. For both sign-trackers (ST) and goal-trackers (GT) the cue attains predictive value, but
for ST the cue also attains incentive value. The attribution of incentive value to the cue transforms it into a
“motivational magnet”, rendering it attractive and desirable for ST, but not GT. It has been shown that different
brain circuits are engaged in response to the cue in ST vs. GT, and that dopamine (DA) is necessary for incentive
(i.e. sign-tracking), but not predictive (i.e. goal-tracking) learning processes. However, to date, little has been
investigated beyond the traditional “motive” circuit in ST and GT. To expand our knowledge in this regard, I will
study the interaction between stress- and reward-systems in ST and GT rats. DA has long been known to interact
with corticosterone (CORT), a primary mediator of the stress-response, and in turn potentiate motivated
behaviors. Given that cue-elicited DA and CORT profiles differ between ST and GT, the overarching hypothesis
of my work is that DA- and CORT-integrative circuits mediate individual differences in the attribution of incentive
value to reward cues. The goal of the proposed work is to identify an intersection between stress- and reward-
systems that drives distinct behavioral responses to environmental stimuli. To do so, I will combine and become
proficient with endocrine, neurochemical, pharmacological, genetic, and behavioral approaches and analyses.
This work will elucidate potential mechanisms that may render individuals more susceptible to cue-driven
psychopathologies, and provide comprehensive training towards my independent scientific growth.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10019349
- **Project number:** 5F99NS115337-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sofia A Lopez-Kawa
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $38,520
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10019349

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10019349, Elucidating the interaction between stress- and reward-mechanisms mediating individual differences in cue motivated behaviors (5F99NS115337-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10019349. Licensed CC0.

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