VTA dopaminergic neuronal activity during NREM sleep is modulated by learning and facilitates motor memory consolidation.

ABSTRACT: Memory consolidation enables animals to draw on past experiences to guide future behavior. This process involves system- and synaptic-level changes and predominantly occurs during sleep. While hippocampal-cortical circuits are well studied in this context, the contributions of other systems, including dopaminergic circuits-key players in learning-related processes-remain poorly understood. Ventral tegmental area dopaminergic (VTA^DA) neurons are active during sleep and suggested to participate in memory consolidation processes; however, causal evidence for this is lacking. Using calcium-dependent fiber photometry, electrophysiology, and chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulations across learning paradigms, we explore the functions of VTA^DA neuronal activity during sleep

SUBMITTER: Sulaman BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12674160 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature