Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Adaptor protein complex 2 in the orbitofrontal cortexpredicts alcohol use disorder

The paper identifies dysregulated proteins in the orbitofrontal cortex of individuals with alcohol use disorder using proteomics and machine learning, linking them to drinking behavior in mice.

The selective D3-Receptor antagonist VK4-116 effectively treats behavioral inflexibility in rats caused by self-administration and withdrawal from cocaine

This study shows that the D3R antagonist VK4-116 improves behavioral flexibility in rats with a history of cocaine use during abstinence.

Reward expectation selectively boosts the firing of accumbens D1+ neurons during motivated approach.

This study shows that D1+ neurons in the nucleus accumbens fire more during reward expectation and trial initiation, while D2+ neurons respond more to reward delivery.

Timing-dependent modulation of working memory by VTA dopamine release in medial prefrontal cortex

This study shows that timing of dopamine release from VTA to mPFC during specific delay periods modulates working memory performance in mice.

Characterization of Identified Dopaminergic Neurons in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb and Midbrain

The paper characterizes heterogeneity in dopaminergic neurons across midbrain and olfactory bulb in mice, finding substantial differences in morphology and function between brain regions.

Disruptive mutations in the serotonin transporter associate serotonin dysfunction with treatment-resistant affective disorder

The paper identifies two disruptive SERT variants in treatment-resistant affective disorder patients and shows they cause partial loss-of-function, with one variant responsive to pharmacochaperoning.

Dopaminergic D2 receptor modulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons governs sequence learning

This study shows that deleting D2 receptors from striatal cholinergic interneurons impairs action sequence learning, while viral replacement rescues this behavior.

The association between brain serotonin 2A receptor binding and neuroticism in healthy individuals: A Cimbi database independent replication study

This study replicates a positive association between serotonin 2A receptor binding and inward facets of neuroticism using the [11C]Cimbi-36 tracer and finds no moderating effect of cortisol awakening response.

Dual credit assignment processes underlie dopamine signals in a complex spatial environment

The paper shows dopamine signals in rats update value through two learning processes during foraging in a complex environment.

The ventral tegmental area dopamine to lateral amygdala projection supports cocaine cue associative learning

This study shows that VTA dopamine projections to the lateral amygdala are critical for cocaine cue associative learning but not for cocaine's direct rewarding effects or reinstatement via priming injections.

Striatal dopamine release reflects a domain-general prediction error

This study shows dopamine signals prediction errors during both latent learning of value-neutral cues and reward-based conditioning, suggesting a domain-general role in model-based learning.

Nucleus accumbens acetylcholine receptors modulate the balance of flexible and inflexible cue-directed motivation

This study shows that nucleus accumbens acetylcholine receptors differentially regulate flexibility and persistence in sign-tracking behavior without affecting cue motivational value.

Temporal scaling of dopamine neuron firing and dopamine release by distinct ion channels shape behavior

This study shows that Kv4.3 and BKCa1.1 ion channels regulate dopamine neuron firing and release on different time scales, influencing distinct phases of reinforced behavior in mice.

An Open-Source Platform for Head-Fixed Operant and Consummatory Behavior

The paper introduces OHRBETS, an open-source platform for head-fixed behavioral experiments in mice, demonstrating operant conditioning and dopamine signaling during reward tasks.

Unique functional responses differentially map onto genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons

The paper identifies three genetic dopamine subtypes in the substantia nigra pars compacta, each with distinct functional responses to rewards, aversive stimuli, and movement, showing strong correlation between soma and axon signaling within subtypes.

A head-to-head comparison of two DREADD agonists for suppressing operant behavior in rats via VTA dopamine neuron inhibition

This study compares two DREADD agonists, CNO and J60, on operant behavior in rats with VTA dopamine neuron inhibition, finding J60 has non-specific effects while CNO is more specific.

Dopamine release at the time of a predicted aversive outcome causally controls the trajectory and expression of conditioned behavior

The paper shows that dopamine release during predicted aversive outcomes controls learned behavior and is linked to the saliency of these events.

Neural mechanisms underlying uninstructed orofacial movements during reward-based learning behaviors.

This study identifies neural mechanisms for uninstructed orofacial movements during reward-based learning in mice, showing distinct roles of dopamine and motor cortex circuits.

Microbial short-chain fatty acids regulate drug seeking and transcriptional control in a model of cocaine seeking

This study shows that gut microbiome depletion increases cocaine-seeking behavior in rats, which can be reversed by replenishing short-chain fatty acids.

Somatostatin-expressing neurons in the ventral tegmental area innervate specific forebrain regions and are involved in the stress response

This study identifies specific projection targets of VTA Sst neurons and shows their role in stress-related behaviors and drug responses.

Boosting serotonin increases information gathering by reducing subjective cognitive costs

The paper shows that boosting serotonin reduces sensitivity to cognitive effort during information gathering, increasing willingness to gather information for reward.

Strain-specific changes in nucleus accumbens transcriptome and motivation for food reward in mice exposed to maternal separation

The paper shows that maternal separation in C3H/HeN mice increases motivation for palatable food and alters nucleus accumbens gene expression, while C57Bl/6J mice show no such changes.

Changes in dorsomedial striatum activity mediate expression of goal-directed vs. habit-like cue-induced cocaine seeking

This study examines how cue extinction affects dorsal striatal activity during goal-directed and habitual cocaine seeking, finding reduced DMS responses but not DLS responses.

Gene Set-Based Analysis of the Endosomal Sorting Processes Cargo Selection and Membrane Tubulation with Human Reward System Reactivity

The paper investigates how genetic variations affecting endosomal sorting processes influence neural responses in the reward system using fMRI and gene set analysis.

Chemogenetic activation of corticotropin-releasing factor-expressing neurons in the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduces effortful motivation behaviors

The paper shows that activating CRF+ neurons in the aBNST reduces effortful motivation behaviors in mice during reward tasks.

Modulating D1 rather than D2 receptor-expressing spiny-projection neurons corresponds to optimal antipsychotic effect

The paper investigates the neural mechanisms of antipsychotic drugs by comparing their effects on D1- and D2-receptor-expressing spiny-projection neurons in mice, finding that modulating D1-SPNs correlates with therapeutic efficacy.

Amphetamine disrupts dopamine axon growth in adolescence by a sex-specific mechanism

This study shows that amphetamine exposure in adolescence causes sex-specific changes in dopamine axon growth via Netrin-1/DCC signaling, with male mice showing increased vulnerability.

Ventral Tegmental Area Glutamate Neurons establish a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit to mesolimbic dopamine neurons and regulate prescription opioid-seeking behavior

The paper identifies a mu-opioid receptor gated circuit from VTA glutamate neurons to dopamine neurons that regulates opioid-seeking behavior.

Outcome devaluation by sensory-specific satiety alters Pavlovian-conditioned behavior in male and female rats

This study examines how outcome devaluation via sensory-specific satiety affects Pavlovian-conditioned behavior in male and female rats, finding sex differences in response sensitivity.

Disentangling the role of NAc D1 and D2 cells in hedonic eating

This study investigates the roles of NAc D1 and D2 cells in hedonic eating by analyzing their contributions to liking and wanting, revealing distinct functions in food choice and overconsumption.