Braking Dopamine Systems: A New GABA Master Structure for Mesolimbic and Nigrostriatal Functions
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: A new mesopontine structure exerting a strong influence on dopamine systems has recently been defined: the tail of the ventral tegmental area/rostromedial tegmental nucleus (tVTA/RMTg). This review presents a neuroanatomical, physiological, and behavioral overview of some of the recent and ongoing research on this brain region and its relationship with dopamine systems. The tVTA/RMTg sends dense GABA projections to VTA and substantia nigra neurons. The inhibitory influence of tVTA/RMTg on dopamine neurons is supported by both neuroanatomical and electrophysiology data. The latter studies also reveal the tVTA/RMTg as a substrate for morphine and cannabinoid action on dopamine cells. In primates, the tVTA/RMTg has been implicated in reward prediction error signals, through a basal ganglia-lateral habenula-tVTA/RMTg-dopamine-basal ganglia circuit. In rodents, the tVTA/RMTg has been shown to play a critical role in aversive behaviors, particularly those involving behavioral inhibition, such as freezing and avoidance. These findings highlight the functional importance of the tVTA/RMTg as a major GABA brake for dopamine systems.
Source: Journal of Neuroscience
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, University of Pittsburgh, Université de Bordeaux, Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funders: Eli Lilly and Company, Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Servier, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Eye Institute
OpenAlex ID: W2108867507