Work

Dopamine and Acetylcholine in the Striatum: Circuit Interactions and Behavioral Control in Substance Use Disorders

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by persistent drug seeking and impaired behavioral control. Dopaminergic signaling has long been recognized as a central regulator of reinforcement learning, motivation, and habit formation. Addictive substances profoundly alter dopamine transmission through multiple mechanisms. These drug-induced changes contribute to the initiation, escalation, and persistence of addictive behaviors. In addition to dopamine, the cholinergic system has emerged as an important modulator of striatal circuit function. Acetylcholine and its receptors interact extensively with dopaminergic pathways, shaping striatal signaling dynamics and influencing learning and action selection, with particularly strong relevance for nicotine dependence. In this review, we discuss how striatal dopamine and acetylcholine contribute to learning, habit formation, and addiction-related behaviors, as well as how these systems interact at the circuit level. By integrating these findings, we propose a framework for understanding how dopamine-acetylcholine interactions may influence behavioral regulation relevant to substance use disorders.

Source: Brain Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci16040397

Authors: Oyku Dinckol, Noah H. Wenger, Aryanna Copling, Bhumiben P. Patel, Munir Gunes Kutlu

Institution: Temple University

Language: English

Topic: Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654