Thomas Steinkellner

Ventral tegmental area interneurons revisited: GABA and glutamate projection neurons make local synapses

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.

Viral overexpression of human alpha-synuclein in mouse substantia nigra dopamine neurons results in hyperdopaminergia but no neurodegeneration

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

Evidence for low affinity of GABA at the vesicular monoamine transporter VMAT2. Implications for transmitter co-release from dopamine neurons

The paper investigates whether GABA interacts with VMAT2 in dopamine neurons and finds it has low affinity, suggesting potential implications for GABA co-release and related diseases.

Disruption of VGLUT1 in cholinergic medial habenula projections increases nicotine self-administration

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

VGLUT modulates sex differences in dopamine neuron vulnerability to age-related neurodegeneration

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

Mechanism for differential recruitment of orbitostriatal transmission during outcomes and actions in alcohol dependence

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.

A genetic probe for visualizing glutamatergic synapses and vesicles by 3D electron microscopy

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