Monosynaptic ventral tegmental area glutamate projections to the locus coeruleus enhance aversive processing.

ABSTRACT: Distinct excitatory synaptic inputs to the locus coeruleus (LC) modulate behavioral flexibility. Here we identify a novel monosynaptic glutamatergic input to the LC from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We show robust VTA axonal projections provide direct glutamatergic transmission to LC. Despite weak synaptic summation, optogenetic activation of these axons enhances LC tonic firing and facilitates real-time and conditioned aversive behaviors. We hypothesized this projection may modulate synaptic integration with other excitatory inputs. We then used coincident VTA-LC photostimulation with local electrical stimulation and observed enhanced LC burst induction. To determine whether this integration also occurs in vivo, we took an analogous approach measuring reward-seeking behavior d

SUBMITTER: Parker KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11661122 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature