Tonic GABAergic inhibition, via GABA receptors containing αβƐ subunits, regulates excitability of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons.

The activity of midbrain dopamine neurons is strongly regulated by fast synaptic inhibitory γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inputs. There is growing evidence in other brain regions that low concentrations of ambient GABA can persistently activate certain subtypes of GABA receptor to generate a tonic current. However, evidence for a tonic GABAergic current in midbrain dopamine neurons is limited.