About this Research Topic

Background

The mapping of brain systems of reward and aversion began in the mid-20th C with the discovery of rewarding brain stimulation by Olds and Milner and stimulation-evoked defensive behavior by Flynn. By the 1970s pathways mediating rewarding and aversive stimulation had been mapped from the upper brainstem to the basal forebrain leading to the hypothesis of a medially located aversion system and a more lateral reward system. In addition, it had been shown that brain stimulation reward was facilitated by drugs of abuse, particularly amphetamines, suggesting that the abuse potential of drugs might be based on their ability to activate the reward system. Furthermore, the visualization of catecholamine neurons showed their trajectory was similar to the mapped reward system while the pharmacology of catecholamines suggested an explanation for the reward-facilitating effects of stimulant drugs.

These findings triggered an intensive exploration of the relationship between brain stimulation reward and catecholamine systems which culminated in the hypothesis that dopamine might be a key reward transmitter, and in the discovery of brain stimulation reward sites in the medial prefrontal cortex.

By the last decade of the 20th C, a fairly detailed map of the putative reward system includes the dopamine cells of the ventral tegmentum, their pathways through the hypothalamus, and their targets in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, the discovery of endogenous opioid systems had shown how the effects of the opioid class of abused drugs could be incorporated into the reward system through interactions with dopamine. Other findings were puzzling in light of the dopamine reward hypothesis. In support of the dopamine hypothesis, there were a number of studies showing that the blockade of dopamine receptors seemed to block the rewarding effects of brain stimulation and natural rewards. However, neurobiochemical studies had shown that dopamine neurons were activated by non-rewarding stimulation, and dopamine was released into the forebrain by aversive stimulation or anxiety, as well as by rewarding events. This apparent paradox implied that dopamine might mediate the effect on the behavior of both reward and aversive events.

By the end of the first decade of the 21st C, it was becoming accepted that dopamine neurons were organized in groups with different properties. Some medially placed neurons that project to the medial nucleus accumbens are excited by aversive stimuli whereas more lateral neurons project to more lateral regions of the nucleus accumbens and are excited by novel rewarding stimuli and inhibited by aversive stimuli.

Since 2010 new methods that allow the selective stimulation or identification of a specific population of neurons have become available and have been applied to neurons in various parts of the putative reward and aversion systems. These findings are leading to a new understanding of the complex systems underlying the phenomena of reward and aversion and how they interact.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st C it seems an opportune time to review the progress in this field.

This Research Topic aims at collecting review articles and new experimental results relevant to the understanding of how dopaminergic and other inputs to the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex mediate both reward and aversion and how they interact in the control of behavior, including dopamine receptors and the role of non-dopaminergic inputs through various pathways.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: dopamine, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, reward, neural circuits, aversion, review, catelcholamine

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.