Norepinephrine ‘reset switch’ affects decision-making

Norepinephrine, a hormone released by norepinephrine neurons in the brain, helps us quickly adjust to unexpected events. This finding, published in Cell Reports, was part of a study of how the orbitofrontal cortex region of the brain is “remapped” to guide adaptive behavior. The study found that when the brain receives an unexpected outcome, it immediately triggers the release of norepinephrine. This stimulates neurons within the orbitofrontal cortex to reset and adapt to the change. The researchers also demonstrated that too much or too little norepinephrine did not achieve the desired remapping.

The study expands upon the known functions of norepinephrine neurons, a type of neuron most associated with the fight-or-flight response. “Norepinephrine neurons were largely overlooked and seen to act as hormone releasers without specialized roles,” said corresponding author Lindsay Schwarz, PhD, Department of Developmental Neurobiology. “We are showing that these neurons connect everywhere in the brain, but not haphazardly. They find the places that they are supposed to wire to.”

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