Mesolimbic dopamine signaling mediates increased hedonic feeding and food seeking in lactating mice
Tanya Pattnaik, Benjamin Wang, Emma Borrowman, Vraj Patel, Qingying Zheng, Lara Villano, Patrick R. Sweeney
This study shows lactation increases food seeking and palatable food intake in mice through enhanced mesolimbic dopamine signaling, specifically via VTA-NAc dopamine transmission.
bioRxiv · Mar 31, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience