Scientists discover the brain’s ‘motivation brake’—and why it stalls action under stress
Scientists at Kyoto University have uncovered a brain pathway that acts as a 'motivation brake', suppressing the urge to start tasks—especially when they feel stressful or unpleasant. The discovery explains why many struggle to begin work even when they know what needs doing, a problem linked to conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
The newly identified pathway connects two brain regions: the ventral striatum (VS) and the ventral pallidum (VP). When activated, it dampens the internal signal to act, making it harder to start tasks under pressure. Researchers found that this mechanism can become overly strong, leading to avolition—a severe lack of motivation that disrupts daily life.
In experiments, suppressing this pathway in macaques restored their willingness to act under difficult conditions. This suggests that willpower alone may not be enough to overcome motivational barriers when the brain actively resists action. The findings also hint at why some people take excessive risks or burn out—an overly weak brake could fail to curb impulsive behaviour.
Avolition is already known to affect people with depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease. The study offers a clearer biological explanation for these struggles, potentially opening doors for better treatments.
The discovery of the VS-VP motivation brake could reshape how we approach motivational deficits in mental health. Instead of pushing people to 'try harder', the research suggests society should focus on reducing stress and providing better support. This may lead to more effective therapies for those battling avolition and related conditions.
