Distinct Synaptic Strengthening of the Striatal Direct and Indirect Pathways Drives Alcohol Consumption.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Repeated exposure to addictive drugs or alcohol triggers glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) plasticity in many neuronal populations. The dorsomedial striatum (DMS), a brain region critically involved in addiction, contains medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing dopamine D₁ or D₂ receptors, which form direct and indirect pathways, respectively. It is unclear how alcohol-evoked plasticity in the DMS contributes to alcohol consumption in a cell type-specific manner.

Methods

Mice were trained to consume alcohol using an intermittent-access two-bottle-choice drinking procedure. Slice electrophysiology was used to measure glutamatergic and GABAergic strength in DMS D₁- and D₂-MSNs of alcohol-drinking mi

SUBMITTER: Cheng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5124556 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature