Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 expression in the ventral tegmental area of outbred male rats following exposure to nicotine and alcohol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Initiation of use/co-use of nicotine and alcohol, commonly occurring in an episodic manner during adolescence, can imprint vulnerability to the developing brain and lead to addiction. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a key heterogeneous region of the mesocorticolimbic circuit involved in the binge-drinking and intoxication step of the addiction circuit. Higher human post-mortem VTA expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2), a marker of the glutamatergic phenotype also expressed in dopaminergic [Tyrosine Hydroxylase (Th)-positive] neurons, has been associated with chronic nicotine use and co-use with alcohol.

Methods

The present study aimed to map and characterize the Vglut2- and Th-expressing neurons in the VTA of adolescent

SUBMITTER: Vrettou M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10391930 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature