Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: As a classic neuromodulator, dopamine has long been thought to modulate, rather than trigger, synaptic plasticity. In contrast, our present results demonstrate that within the parallel projections of dopaminergic and GABAergic terminals from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens core (NAcCo), action-potential-activated release of dopamine heterosynaptically triggers LTD at GABAergic synapses, which is likely mediated by activating presynaptically located dopamine D1 class receptors and expressed by inhibiting presynaptic release of GABA. Moreover, this dopamine-mediated heterosynaptic LTD is abolished after withdrawal from cocaine exposure. These results suggest that action-potential-dependent dopamine release triggers very different cellular consequences from those induced by volume release or pharmacological manipulation. Activation of the ventral tegmental area to NAcCo projections is essential for emotional and motivational responses. This dopamine-mediated LTD allows a flexible output of NAcCo neurons, whereas disruption of this LTD may contribute to the rigid emotional and motivational state observed in addicts during cocaine withdrawal.
Source: Journal of Neuroscience
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: Homeostatic Plasticity in Nucleus Accumbens, Cocaine-induced Adaptation in NMDA receptors, Labeling of Cocaine-generated Nascent Excitatory Synapses, Homeostatic Regulation and Dysregulation in Cocaine Craving, The Accumbens NMDA Receptor in HIV-induced Motivational Disorders, Gating of Information Flow Within the Nucleus Accumbens, Cocaine-induced adaptation in NMDA receptors
OpenAlex ID: W2019222884