Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

The paper shows that orexin A injections in the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (pPVT) reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior in rats after short abstinence but not after prolonged abstinence, with corresponding changes in hypothalamic neuronal activation.

The paper presents a theory explaining how vertebrate basal ganglia circuits select actions based on past experience and motivational state by integrating positive and negative consequences with neuromodulatory signals.

This study shows that acute stress in female mice leads to long-lasting changes in dopaminergic system function and behavior.

This paper models circuit-level mechanisms of ethanol-induced dopamine release from the ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens, showing dose-dependent firing changes and the role of synchrony and glutamatergic input.

This study identifies CeA CRF neurons and their projections to the BNST as drivers of excessive alcohol drinking and withdrawal in rats.

This study shows morphine selectively enhances glutamate release from mPFC to VTA DA neuron terminals, but not from BLA or LH, and this effect reduces morphine-induced locomotor activity.

The paper investigates how ACC theta activity relates to motivation in rats, finding that ACC signals predict changes in VTA theta during reward pursuit but not during effortful trials.