In this review, we highlight evidence that supports a role for the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) in motivated behavior. We include a neuroanatomical and neurochemical overview, outlining what is known of the cellular makeup of the region and its most prominent afferent and efferent connections. We discuss how these connections and distinctions across the anterior-posterior axis correspond to the perceived function of the PVT. We then focus on the hypothalamic-thalamic-striatal circuit and the neuroanatomical and functional placement of the PVT within this circuit. In this regard, the PVT is ideally positioned to integrate information regarding internal states and the external environment and translate it into motivated actions. Based on data that has emerged in recent years, including that from our laboratory, we posit that orexinergic innervation from the lateral hypothalamus (LH) to the PVT encodes the incentive motivational value of reward cues and thereby alters signaling of the glutamatergic neurons projecting from the PVT to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh). The PVT-NacSh pathway then modulates dopamine activity and resultant cue-motivated behaviors. As we and others apply novel tools and approaches to studying the PVT we will continue to refine the anatomical, cellular and functional definitions currently ascribed to this nucleus and further elucidate its role in motivated behaviors.

中文翻译：

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通过下丘脑-丘脑-纹状体回路将室旁丘脑作为动机行为的关键节点

在这篇综述中，我们强调了支持丘脑室旁核 (PVT) 在动机行为中的作用的证据。我们包括神经解剖学和神经化学概述，概述了该区域的细胞组成及其最突出的传入和传出连接。我们讨论了这些前后轴上的连接和区别如何对应于 PVT 的感知功能。然后，我们关注下丘脑-丘脑-纹状体回路以及 PVT 在该回路中的神经解剖和功能位置。在这方面，PVT 的理想定位是整合有关内部状态和外部环境的信息，并将其转化为有动机的行动。根据近年来出现的数据，包括我们实验室的数据，我们假设从下丘脑外侧 (LH) 到 PVT 的食欲能神经支配编码了奖励线索的激励动机价值，从而改变了从 PVT 投射到伏隔核壳 (NAcSh) 的谷氨酸能神经元的信号传导。然后 PVT-NacSh 通路调节多巴胺活性和由此产生的线索动机行为。随着我们和其他人应用新的工具和方法来研究 PVT，我们将继续完善目前归因于该细胞核的解剖学、细胞和功能定义，并进一步阐明其在动机行为中的作用。然后 PVT-NacSh 通路调节多巴胺活性和由此产生的线索动机行为。随着我们和其他人应用新的工具和方法来研究 PVT，我们将继续完善目前归因于该细胞核的解剖学、细胞和功能定义，并进一步阐明其在动机行为中的作用。然后 PVT-NacSh 通路调节多巴胺活性和由此产生的线索动机行为。随着我们和其他人应用新的工具和方法来研究 PVT，我们将继续完善目前归因于该细胞核的解剖学、细胞和功能定义，并进一步阐明其在动机行为中的作用。