Cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization associates with slow oscillatory firing of neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

ABSTRACT: The initiation of psychostimulant sensitization depends on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system. Although many cellular adaptations has been reported to be associated with this addictive behavior, the overall influence of these adaptations on the network regulation of DA neurons has not been established. Here, we profile a network-driven slow oscillation (SO) in the firing activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) putative DA and non-DA neurons and their correlation with locomotor sensitization induced by repeated administration of cocaine. One day after the last cocaine injection, the power of SO (Pso) significantly increased both in DA and non-DA neurons. Interestingly, the Pso in DA neurons was positively correlated, while Pso in non-DA neurons was negatively correlated with the le

SUBMITTER: Liu CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5818474 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature