title: Reward: From Basic Reinforcers to Anticipation of Social Cues.
abstract: Reward processing plays a major role in goal-directed behavior and motivation. On the neural level, it is mediated by a complex network of brain structures called the dopaminergic reward system. In the last decade, neuroscientific researchers have become increasingly interested in aspects of social interaction that are experienced as rewarding. Recent neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that the reward system mediates the processing of social stimuli in a manner analogous to nonsocial rewards and thus motivates social behavior. In this context, the neuropeptide oxytocin is assumed to play a key role by activating dopaminergic reward pathways in response to social cues, inducing the rewarding quality of social interactions. Alterations in the dopaminergic reward system have been found in several psychiatric disorders that are accompanied by social interaction and motivation problems, for example autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, addiction disorders, and schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Social Neuroscience Lab, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany. rademacher@snl.uni-luebeck.de.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rademacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Neuenhofer Weg 21, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulte-Rüther
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Am Steg 22, 35385, Gießen, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanewald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lammertz
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D012201:Reward; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: ADHD; Addiction; Anticipation; Autism; Dopamine; Nucleus accumbens; Oxytocin; Reward system; Schizophrenia; Social reward