A unique multi-synaptic mechanism involving acetylcholine and GABA regulates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens through early adolescence in male rats.

Adolescence is characterized by changes in reward-related behaviors, social behaviors, and decision-making. These behavioral changes are necessary for the transition into adulthood, but they also increase vulnerability to the development of a range of psychiatric disorders. Major reorganization of the dopamine system during adolescence is thought to underlie, in part, the associated behavioral changes and increased vulnerability.

Metabotropic glutamate 2,3 receptor stimulation desensitizes agonist activation of G-protein signaling and alters transcription regulators in mesocorticolimbic brain regions.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are regulators of glutamate release and targets for development of therapies for hyperactive glutamatergic signaling. However, the effects of long-term stimulation of mGlu receptors on cellular signaling in the brain have not been described. This study investigated the effects of 2-day and 14-day osmotic mini-pump administration of the mGlu2,3 agonist LY379268 (3.

Phasic Dopamine Release Magnitude Tracks Individual Differences in Sensitization of Locomotor Response following a History of Nicotine Exposure.

Smoking remains the primary cause of preventable death in the United States and smoking related illness costs more than $300 billion annually. Nicotine (the primary reinforcer in cigarettes) causes changes in behavior and neurochemistry that lead to increased probability of relapse. Given the role of mesolimbic dopamine projections in motivation, substance use disorder, and drug relapse, we examined the effect of repeated nicotine on rapid dopamine signals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats.