Dissecting motivational circuitry to understand substance abuse.

摘要: An important goal of cocaine addiction research is to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this disease state. Here, we review studies from our laboratory that examined nucleus accumbens (NAc) cell firing and rapid dopamine signaling using electrophysiological electrochemical recordings in behaving rodents. A major advantage these techniques they allow for characterization NAc activity release during specific phases motivated behavior. Moreover, each approach enables an examination dynamic nature as a function factors such hedonics associative learning. We show neurons differentially respond rewarding aversive stimuli their predictors bivalent manner. This differential responding modifiable can be altered by presentation other natural rewards or cocaine. Likewise, also reflected activation distinct populations goal-directed behaviors versus drug rewards, heightened some following abstinence. Our data reflects primary appears modulate neuronal responses. In cases, influences are observed regionally manner matches previous pharmacological manipulations. Collectively, findings provide critical insight into functional organization used guide additional aimed at dissecting neural code compulsive drug-seeking