Persistence is one of those qualities that is in high demand, especially as the world becomes more complex and change is a more consistent presence in our lives.  A new study from the University of Washington aims to shed some light on when and why we tend to give up on things.

The researchers looked inside the brain at a group of cells known as nociceptin neurons, which are active when we at breaking point and wanting to quit.  They emit the nociceptin molecule, which suppresses dopamine, which we know is associated with motivation.

These neurons are located in the ventral tegmental (VTA) part of the brain, and the VTA contains a range of neurons that release dopamine when we undertake pleasurable activities.

“The big discovery is that large complex neurotransmitters known as neuropeptides have a very robust effect on animal behavior by acting on the VTA,” the researchers explain.

Keeping on going

The authors believe their findings could be crucial in helping people who are at risk of giving up, especially in cases such as depression or substance addiction.

The findings emerged after examination of mice who were looking for sucrose.  Each mouse had to poke their snout into a port to get hold of the substance, with the task made gradually harder, such that eventually all of the mice gave up.  Their neural activity was recorded to understand what was happening in their brain, with activity in the NVA highest when the mice gave up on the sucrose task.

The researchers reveal that the reward pathways in mammals are regulated to ensure internal stability in the face of environmental changes, which means that animals in the wild become less motivated to look for rewards when those rewards are scarce.  Doing otherwise would expose them to predators or waste energy unnecessarily.

In humans, when these regulatory processes go awry, it can result in things such as eating disorders, depression and addiction.  The team believe their work could go a long way towards helping people whose regulatory pathways are not working to get help.

“We might think of different scenarios where people aren’t motivated like depression and block these neurons and receptors to help them feel better,” they explain. “That’s what’s powerful about discovering these cells. Neuropsychiatric diseases that impact motivation could be improved.”