Enhancing VTA Ca_v1.3 L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity promotes cocaine and mood-related behaviors via overlapping AMPA receptor mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens.

ABSTRACT: Genetic factors significantly influence susceptibility for substance abuse and mood disorders. Rodent studies have begun to elucidate a role of Ca_v1.3 L-type Ca²⁺ channels in neuropsychiatric-related behaviors, such as addictive and depressive-like behaviors. Human studies have also linked the CACNA1D gene, which codes for the Ca_v1.3 protein, with bipolar disorder. However, the neurocircuitry and the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Ca_v1.3 in neuropsychiatric phenotypes are not well established. In the present study, we directly manipulated Ca_v1.3 channels in Ca_v1.2 dihydropyridine insensitive mutant mice and found that ventral tegmental area (VTA) Ca_v1.3 channels mediate cocaine-related and depressive-

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Rivera A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5555837 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature