Article
Cell Biology
Karolina Farrell, Armin Lak, Aman B. Saleem
Summary: Midbrain dopamine neurons encode reward prediction error signals to improve goal-directed navigation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jason Yuen, Abhinav Goyal, Aaron E. Rusheen, Abbas Z. Kouzani, Michael Berk, Jee Hyun Kim, Susannah J. Tye, Charles D. Blaha, Kevin E. Bennet, Dong-Pyo Jang, Kendall H. Lee, Hojin Shin, Yoonbae Oh
Summary: For over 40 years, in vivo microdialysis techniques have been crucial in studying the effects of illicit substances on dopamine levels in the brain, but limitations have led to the development of a new electrochemical method known as M-CSWV. This method provides faster recordings of dopamine level changes, allowing for a more detailed understanding of neuronal responses to drug administration.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Mary K. Estes, Jasric J. Bland, Kenya K. Ector, Melissa J. Puppa, Douglas W. Powell, Deranda B. Lester
Summary: The study showed that diet can alter the functioning of the mesolimbic dopamine system, with mice consuming a high-fat diet demonstrating a hypodopaminergic profile compared to the control diet group.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tong-Yu Liang, Hua Zhou, Yan-Gang Sun
Summary: Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons participate in itch processing through their projection to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The roles of dopamine receptor subtypes in different subregions of the NAc during itch processing were investigated. It was found that dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) blockade in the lateral shell (LaSh) impaired pruritogen-induced scratching behavior, while D2R activation in both LaSh and medial shell (MeSh) attenuated scratching behavior. Dopamine release in LaSh was elevated during scratching behavior, suggesting a motivational component of itch processing. This study highlights the importance of D1R in the LaSh of the NAc in itch signal processing.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
John G. Mikhael, Lucy Lai, Samuel J. Gershman
Summary: This study introduces the concept of 'rational inattention' to the dopamine literature, which reconciles two influential theories of tonic DA under a unified framework. The rational inattention framework can explain a wide range of experimental findings, including reinforcement learning and interval timing effects, and provides a better understanding of how DA influences behavior.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Wei-Xing Pang, Luke T. Coddington, Joshua T. Dudman
Summary: Sensory cues preceding rewards can acquire predictive and incentive properties, while mesolimbic dopamine neuron responses to these cues correlate with expected value and reward-seeking behavior. Direct stimulation of dopamine neurons at the time of reward can induce and maintain reward-seeking behavior, but replacing cues with stimulation is insufficient as an informative cue. Stimulation of cortical inputs upstream can reinforce behaviors and act as cues for future rewards.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Everett Altherr, Aundrea Rainwater, Darian Kaviani, Qijun Tang, Ali D. Guler
Summary: The study suggests that long-term consumption of a high-fat diet reduces preference and consumption of high-calorie foods, associated with changes in mesolimbic dopamine signaling, and these changes can be mitigated by exercise.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel J. Christoffel, Jessica J. Walsh, Paul Hoerbelt, Boris D. Heifets, Pierre Llorach, Ricardo C. Lopez, Charu Ramakrishnan, Karl Deisseroth, Robert C. Malenka
Summary: The study reveals that dopamine and serotonin modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens in input-specific ways, influencing motivated behaviors differently. Endogenous release of DA and 5-HT, as well as optogenetic inhibition, alter the behavioral effects of drugs in distinct manners.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Lili Chen, Junling Wang, Mingrui Xia, Lianglong Sun, Junyan Sun, Linlin Gao, Dongling Zhang, Tao Wu
Summary: This study aimed to identify the functional connectivity changes of nucleus accumbens subregions in Parkinson's disease and characterize the association of network changes and non-motor symptoms. The results showed reduced connectivity between the subregions of nucleus accumbens and extensive brain regions in Parkinson's disease patients compared to healthy controls. These subregions were associated with depression, anxiety, apathy, cognitive impairment, excessive daytime sleepiness, olfactory impairment, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dan P. Covey, Edith Hernandez, Miguel A. Lujan, Joseph F. Cheer
Summary: The study found that dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens responds differently to cues signaling increasing cost of reward. Endocannabinoid signaling facilitates goal-seeking and nucleus accumbens dopamine release, while chronic MAGL treatment stably facilitates goal-seeking and dopamine encoding without the development of tolerance.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Helena J. Barr, Erin M. Wall, Sarah C. Woolley
Summary: Vocal communication signals can shape the incentive salience of communication signals through dopamine within auditory cortical circuits, not norepinephrine. Dopamine enhances preferences for less-preferred songs, and this plasticity can persist for at least 1 week.
Article
Neurosciences
Musa Iyiola Ajibola, Jei-Wei Wu, Wahab Imam Abdulmajeed, Cheng-Chang Lien
Summary: The study demonstrates that subcortical input from the SuM selectively regulates the activities of different DG neurons through distinct synaptic mechanisms in mice. While SuM activation leads to synaptic excitation and inhibition in all post-synaptic cells, the ratio of these components varies depending on cell type. Specifically, dendrite-targeting interneurons primarily receive synaptic excitation, soma-targeting interneurons and granule cells mainly receive synaptic inhibition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Paula S. Dornellas, Giovana C. Macedo, Minna H. McFarland, Alexander Gomez-A, Todd K. O'Buckley, Claudio Da Cunha, A. Leslie Morrow, Donita L. Robinson
Summary: Research has shown that allopregnanolone can reduce dopamine release in both male and female rats, with its effects modulated by sex and estrous cycle stages.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaonan Li, Lehua Lu, Ying He, Hui Zhang, Yihui Zhang, Huaquan Sheng, Ming Chen, Jiexiong Ru, Yihan Gao
Summary: This study examined the effects of different nicotine salts on dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) using a fluorescent probe and optical fiber photometric recording equipment. The results showed that different nicotine salts increased DA release in the NAc, but each salt had different efficiency in increasing DA release with concentration changes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jason Yuen, Abhinav Goyal, Aaron E. E. Rusheen, Abbas Z. Z. Kouzani, Michael Berk, Jee Hyun Kim, Susannah J. J. Tye, Charles D. D. Blaha, Kevin E. E. Bennet, Kendall H. Lee, Hojin Shin, Yoonbae Oh
Summary: Cocaine increases dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) by stimulating the ventral tegmental area (VTA). This study found that high frequency stimulation (HFS) of the VTA or NAcc can modulate the effects of cocaine on dopamine levels. HFS of the VTA decreased dopamine levels, while HFS of the NAcc initially decreased levels and then returned to baseline. HFS following cocaine administration prevented the increase in dopamine levels. This suggests the potential of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) by abolishing cocaine-induced dopamine release.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
David M. Bortz, Anthony A. Grace
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Susan F. Sonnenschein, Kathryn M. Gill, Anthony A. Grace
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Neurosciences
Susan F. Sonnenschein, Anthony A. Grace
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Millie Rincon-Cortes, Anthony A. Grace
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiyu Zhu, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: This study found that early environmental enrichment (EE) in prepubertal rats can prevent dopamine hyperresponsivity in the MAM model of schizophrenia, as measured by electrophysiological recordings and locomotor response to amphetamine. EE normalized excessive firing in the ventral hippocampus without affecting anxiety-like behaviors and basolateral amygdala firing, indicating its potential as a preventative approach for schizophrenia.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felipe V. Gomes, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: Although currently available antipsychotic drugs can reduce psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia patients, they have numerous side effects and are not effective against negative and cognitive symptoms. Developing new drugs that target the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain may offer a more effective approach in treating schizophrenia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Susan F. Sonnenschein, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: The study found that peripubertal administration of POM in MAM rats can prevent the emergence of vHPC pyramidal neuron hyperactivity and increased DA neuron population activity in adulthood, showing potential for preventing dopamine system dysfunction and psychosis development. However, POM did not show significant differences in SAL rats.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jillian J. Weeks, Anthony A. Grace, Alan F. Sved
Summary: The study showed that both acute and chronic administration of nicotine improved deficits in schizophrenia-like behaviors and normalized neuronal activity in specific brain regions in the schizophrenia rodent model. These findings support the self-medication hypothesis for smoking in schizophrenia and suggest the potential of nicotinic modulation in future pharmacotherapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laszlo Peczely, Tamas Ollmann, Kristof Laszlo, Laszlo Lenard, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: Quinpirole dose dependently regulates VTA dopaminergic activity and influences motivation and motor behavior in rats at the level of the ventral pallidum.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiyu Zhu, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: Adolescent stress is a risk factor for schizophrenia, and its effects on neurobiological activity and impairment vary depending on age and sex. Understanding these differences could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of stress-related psychopathologies and guide targeted interventions.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Andreza M. Cavichioli, Thamyris Santos-Silva, Anthony A. Grace, Francisco S. Guimaraes, Felipe Gomes
Summary: This study suggests that levetiracetam can attenuate the adverse outcomes associated with schizophrenia caused by stress during adolescence, by reversing the behavioral changes, ventral hippocampus hyperactivity, and enhanced ventral tegmental area dopamine system activity.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
David M. Bortz, Catalina M. Feistritzer, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: This study suggests that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to medial septum (MS) pathway may be involved in regulating cognitive flexibility and dopamine neuron activity. Activation of the mPFC-MS pathway improves strategy switching, while inhibition produces different effects. The pathway bidirectionally regulates dopamine neuron activity. This study reveals a potential top-down circuit from the prefrontal cortex to the midbrain that can manipulate dopamine activity to promote cognitive flexibility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anthony A. Grace, Daniela L. Uliana
Summary: Therapeutic intervention for schizophrenia relies on blockade of dopamine D2 receptors to alleviate symptoms. However, an overactive hippocampus is the primary driver of dopamine system hyper-responsiveness. Antipsychotic drugs alleviate symptoms by causing depolarization block, but they also activate multiple synapses downstream from the site of pathology. A novel class of drugs targeting the hippocampal overdrive could be more effective and better tolerated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiyu Zhu, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: This study presents a protocol for delivering environmental enrichment in discrete postnatal windows to prevent long-term dopamine neuron dysfunctions in a neurodevelopmental rat model of schizophrenia risk. It describes the generation of the schizophrenia model through prenatal treatment and the application of EE paradigms on male rats at different ages. Control groups in regular environment cages are also included for comparison.
Article
Psychiatry
David M. Bortz, Anthony A. Grace
