Optogenetically Evoked Accumbal Dopamine Transients Are Sufficient to Drive Locomotor Sensitization and Cross-Sensitization to Cocaine
Eva Xia Wang, Agnès Hiver, Laurena Python, Christian Lüscher, Vincent Pascoli
This study shows that repeated optogenetic activation of dopamine neurons induces locomotor sensitization and cross-sensitization to cocaine, demonstrating dopamine's role in behavioral plasticity.
bioRxiv · Jan 20, 2026 · PreprintAnimal Behavior & Cognition