Scientists discover the brain cells that keep you motivated
sciencedaily.com
Researchers at Nagoya University identified orexin neurons in rats as critical for maintaining motivated behavior through a progressive ratio test measuring work effort. Activating these neurons increased the willingness to perform tasks for rewards, while suppressing them reduced motivation, suggesting they link reward expectation with necessary exertion rather than merely amplifying drive.
All articles from 6 August 2026. Summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors; the linked article is the authority.