Mitochondrial calcium influx-driven bioenergetics in the dopaminergic system selectively enable drug reward
Jun Xiong Gao, Haixin Zhao, Xiao Han, Lingmin Zeng, Guangqin Liu, Xuechen Wei, Changwei Liu, Wenjun Wu, Siqi Chen, Jiayi Chen, Ting Li, Jiye Yin, Tao Zhou, Xuemin Zhang, Ailing Li, , Xin Pan
The paper identifies mitochondrial calcium influx via MCU as a bioenergetic mechanism that selectively enables drug reward and addictive behaviors while sparing natural reward.
bioRxiv · Jun 10, 2025 · PreprintNeuroscience