Alexey Ostroumov

This study shows acute stress enhances operant learning in rats by altering inhibitory transmission in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal circuits, specifically affecting GABAergic inputs to dopamine neurons.

This study shows that during reward learning, reduced KCC2 in midbrain GABA neurons alters network activity and dopamine responses, essential for forming new reward associations.

This study shows that cocaine and morphine disrupt chloride homeostasis in VTA GABA neurons by downregulating KCC2, with effects lasting up to 30 days after morphine self-administration.