Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Mechanism of dopamine traveling waves in the striatum: theory and experiment

The paper investigates the mechanism of dopamine traveling waves in the striatum using theoretical and experimental approaches, finding that cholinergic interneurons and dopamine axons interact to drive these waves.

Arrestin-3-assisted activation of JNK3 mediates dopaminergic behavioral and signaling plasticity in vivo.

The paper shows that restoring arrestin-3 in dopamine-depleted striatum rescues behavioral sensitization by reactivating JNK3 and c-Jun phosphorylation.

Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) neurons containing the serotonin 5HT2c receptor modulate operant alcohol self-administration behavior in mice

This study investigates the role of BNST 5HT2c receptor neurons in modulating alcohol self-administration behavior in mice, finding sex-dependent effects on alcohol seeking and aversive responses.

Regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons promotes EtOH seeking, behavioral reward and susceptibility to relapse

This study shows that RGS6 in VTA dopamine neurons promotes EtOH seeking, reward, and relapse by enhancing DA transmission through GPCR-Gi/o-DAT signaling.

Distinct eLPB ChAT projections for methamphetamine anxiety and relapse

The paper identifies two distinct eLPBChAT projections to the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis that mediate methamphetamine withdrawal anxiety and relapse.

Serotonin neurons in mating female mice are activated by male ejaculation

This study identifies that male ejaculation, specifically the mechanical stimulation during penile cupping and fluid expulsion, activates serotonin neurons in mating female mice.

Paternal methamphetamine exposure induces higher sensitivity to methamphetamine in male offspring through driving ADRB1 on CaMKII-positive neurons in mPFC

Stimulation of VTA dopamine inputs to LH upregulates orexin neuronal activity in a DRD2-dependent manner

This study shows that dopamine release in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) increases orexin neuron activity through dopamine D2 receptors, revealing a new mechanism linking dopamine and reward expectation.

CHIR99021 causes inactivation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and depletion of dopamine in rat brain striatum

This study shows CHIR99021 inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase and reduces dopamine in rat striatum, suggesting potential therapeutic use and caution in clinical trials.

Adolescent neurostimulation of dopamine circuit reverses genetic deficits in frontal cortex function

The paper shows that adolescent neurostimulation of dopamine circuits can reverse cognitive deficits in genetic mouse models.

Cue- versus reward-encoding basolateral amygdala projections to nucleus accumbens

The paper identifies two BLA subprojections to NAc that differentially encode reward and cue-mediated reinforcement in drug seeking behavior.

Optogenetic inhibition of the caudal substantia nigra inflates behavioral responding to uncertain threat and safety

This study shows that optogenetic inhibition of the caudal substantia nigra increases defensive responding to uncertain and safe cues in rats.

Pumping the brakes: Rostromedial tegmental inhibition of compulsive cocaine seeking

This study shows that inhibiting the RMTg{lozenge}VTA pathway reduces cocaine seeking and has lasting effects on drug craving during abstinence.

Sex Differences In The Interaction Between Alcohol And mTORC1

This study investigates sex differences in mTORC1 activation and rapamycin's effect on alcohol use in male and female rodents.

Viral-mediated expression of Erk2 in the nucleus accumbens regulates responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli.

This study shows that manipulating ERK2 levels in the nucleus accumbens of rats alters behaviors related to reward and aversion, with overexpression increasing depression-like and cocaine sensitivity behaviors, and knockdown reducing them.

The Role of Ryanodine Receptor 2 in Drug-Associated Learning

This study examines RyR2 expression and localization in the vmPFC during drug and sucrose self-administration and reward recall, finding that drug recall alters RyR2P distribution and increases its somatic expression.

Region-specific gene expression changes associated to oleoylethanolamide-induced attenuation of alcohol self-administration

This study investigates how OEA affects alcohol self-administration and gene expression in specific brain regions, finding region-specific changes in dopamine and cannabinoid receptor genes and immune responses.

Early-life stress and ovarian hormones alter transcriptional regulation in the nucleus accumbens resulting in sex-specific responses to cocaine

The paper shows how early-life stress and ovarian hormones affect transcriptional regulation in the nucleus accumbens, leading to sex-specific responses to cocaine in mice.

Functional Diversity of Dopamine Axons in Prefrontal Cortex During Classical Conditioning

The paper uses two-photon calcium imaging to show that mesocortical dopamine axons in the medial PFC exhibit selectivity for aversive cues during classical conditioning.

The priming effect of rewarding brain stimulation in rats depends on both the cost and strength of reward but survives blockade of D2-like dopamine receptors

Reward prediction-errors weighted by cue salience produces addictive behaviors in simulations, with asymmetrical learning and steeper delay discounting

This paper introduces a salience-based model of reward prediction errors that simulates addictive behaviors, including reduced sensitivity to negative consequences and steeper delay discounting.

Sub-second striatal dopamine dynamics assessed by simultaneous fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and fluorescence biosensor

The paper evaluates dLight photometry for measuring dopamine dynamics in the dorsolateral striatum, showing it can detect dopamine increases and transient kinetics during cocaine exposure and conditioning.

Shared and divergent transcriptomic regulation in nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons by cocaine and morphine

The paper examines transcriptomic changes in D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens after cocaine and morphine exposure, revealing shared and divergent regulatory patterns.

Serotonin predictively encodes value

This paper proposes a theory that serotonin neurons encode predictive value signals, explaining various serotonergic responses better than existing theories.

Assessment of behavioral flexibility in mice with conditional deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 from Emx1-lineage neurons

This study investigates the role of mGlu2 deletion in Emx1-lineage neurons on behavioral flexibility in mice, finding no significant impact on drug consumption predisposition.

Identification of Genetic and Genomic Influences on Progressive Ethanol Consumption in Diversity Outbred Mice

The paper identifies genetic influences on ethanol consumption in Diversity Outbred mice by analyzing gene expression and eQTLs in the prefrontal cortex.

Inhibition of dopamine neurons prevents incentive value encoding of a reward cue:With revelations from deep phenotyping

The paper shows that inhibiting VTA dopamine neurons during reward cue presentation prevents sign-tracking behavior, confirming dopamine's role in encoding incentive value.

GABA Release From Central Amygdala Neurotensin Neurons Differentially Modulates Reward and Consummatory Behavior in Male and Female Mice

This study shows that reducing GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons decreases alcohol drinking in male mice but not females, with distinct behavioral effects in each sex.

Differential effects of acute and prolonged morphine withdrawal on motivational and goal-directed control over reward-seeking behavior

This study examines how acute and prolonged morphine withdrawal affects motivation and goal-directed behavior in rats, finding distinct impacts on reward processing and flexibility.

Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 limits dopamine D1 receptor signaling in the striatum and biases against heavy persistent alcohol drinking

This study shows that LRRK2 in D1R-expressing striatal neurons reduces alcohol drinking by modulating D1R signaling and resilience to heavy drinking.