Thomas S. Hnasko

The paper investigates how GABA-glutamate corelease in ventral tegmental area neurons affects neurotransmission in the lateral habenula, showing state-dependent excitatory or inhibitory effects and implications for motivation.

This study shows that mu-opioid receptor activation inhibits somatodendritic firing but enhances excitatory glutamate transmission at the habenulo-peduncular synapse.

The paper identifies Anxa1 as a marker for PD-vulnerable dopamine neurons and shows they respond oppositely to excitatory inputs compared to resilient Vglut2+ neurons.

This study challenges the traditional view of VTA interneurons by showing that GABA and glutamate projection neurons in the VTA also form local synapses, suggesting they may fulfill roles previously attributed to interneurons.

The paper quantifies and maps neurotransmitter-defined cell types in VTA and SNc using fluorescent in situ hybridization, revealing diverse distributions and proportions.

This study overexpresses human alpha-synuclein in mouse dopamine neurons and finds increased dopamine levels and activity without neurodegeneration.

The paper investigates how levodopa-induced dyskinesia is linked to increased activity in specific striatal direct pathway medium spiny neurons, driven by dopamine and excitatory inputs.

This study identifies how VP GABA and glutamate neurons modulate VTA cell types to drive approach and avoidance behaviors through distinct mechanisms.

This study shows that VTA glutamate neurons can drive reward through glutamate release and aversion through dopamine co-release using optogenetic manipulation.

This study identifies VGLUT-mediated mechanisms protecting DA neurons from PD-related degeneration, revealing sex-specific effects and transcriptional regulators.

This study shows that disrupting VGLUT1 in cholinergic medial habenula neurons increases nicotine self-administration, suggesting glutamate co-release opposes nicotine consumption.

The paper identifies VGLUT expression as a sex-dependent mediator of age-related dopamine neuron vulnerability in Parkinson's disease.

This study shows that VPGABA neurons in rats influence risky decision-making by modulating motivation to pursue rewards and avoid shocks.

This study identifies a mechanism by which alcohol dependence disrupts OFC-DS circuit activity through D1R SPN dysfunction and increased eCB signaling, impairing outcome-based decision-making.

The paper develops a genetic probe to label and image glutamatergic synaptic vesicles using 3D electron microscopy and deep learning.

This study shows that ventral pallidum inhibition reduces cocaine reinstatement after voluntary abstinence, particularly in compulsive rats, suggesting its role in relapse.