Peripheral nerve injury-induced alterations in VTA neuron firing properties.

ABSTRACT: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is one of the main brain regions harboring dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and plays important roles in reinforcement and motivation. Recent studies have indicated that DA neurons not only respond to rewarding stimuli, but also to noxious stimuli. Furthermore, VTA DA neurons undergo plasticity during chronic pain. Lateral and medial VTA neurons project to different brain areas, and have been characterized via their distinct electrophysiological properties. In this study, we characterized electrophysiological properties of lateral and medial VTA DA neurons using DAT-cre reporter mice, and examined their plasticity during neuropathic pain states. We observed various DA subpopulations in both the lateral and medial VTA, as defined by action potential firing pattern

SUBMITTER: Huang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6827252 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature