Addictive drugs have in common that they target the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA)
system. This system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects mainly to the …

Long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTP/LTD) can be elicited by activating N-methyl-d-aspartate
(NMDA)-type glutamate receptors, typically by the coincident activity of pre…

Compounds known to disrupt exocytosis or endocytosis were introduced into CA1 pyramidal
cells while monitoring excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Disrupting exocytosis or …

Many excitatory synapses express Group 1, or Gq coupled, metabotropic glutamate receptors
(Gp1 mGluRs) at the periphery of their postsynaptic density. Activation of Gp1 mGluRs …

The biochemical composition of the postsynaptic membrane and the structure of dendritic
spines may be rapidly modulated by synaptic activity. Here we review these findings, discuss …

Salient but aversive stimuli inhibit the majority of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral
tegmental area (VTA) and cause conditioned place aversion (CPA). The cellular mechanism …

G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels hyperpolarize neurons in
response to activation of many different G protein-coupled receptors and thus control the …

GABA B (γ-aminobutyric acid type B) receptors are important for keeping neuronal excitability
under control. Cloned GABA B receptors do not show the expected pharmacological …

Drugs of abuse induce long-lasting changes in neural circuits that may underlie core components
of addiction. Here we focus on glutamatergic synapses onto dopamine (DA) neurons …

Optogenetic techniques have been developed to allow control over the activity of selected
cells within a highly heterogeneous tissue, using a combination of genetic engineering and …