The effects of the dopamine D2/3 agonist quinpirole on incentive value and palatability-based choice in a rodent model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Rationale: Palatability and incentive value influence animal food choice. Dopamine D2/3 receptor signaling may mediate the effects of palatability and incentive value on choice. Dopamine signaling is disrupted in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Neuropilin 2 Signaling Mediates Corticostriatal Transmission, Spine Maintenance, and Goal-Directed Learning in Mice.

The striatum represents the main input structure of the basal ganglia, receiving massive excitatory input from the cortex and the thalamus. The development and maintenance of cortical input to the striatum is crucial for all striatal function including many forms of sensorimotor integration, learning, and action control. The molecular mechanisms regulating the development and maintenance of corticostriatal synaptic transmission are unclear.

Loss of striatal tyrosine-hydroxylase interneurons impairs instrumental goal-directed behavior.

The striatum mediates a broad range of cognitive and motor functions. Within the striatum, recently discovered tyrosine hydroxylase expressing interneurons (THINs) provide a source of intrastriatal synaptic connectivity that is critical for regulating striatal activity, yet the role of THIN's in behavior remains unknown. Given the important role of the striatum in reward-based behaviors, we investigated whether loss of striatal THINs would impact instrumental behavior in mice.