A Paranigral VTA Nociceptin Circuit that Constrains Motivation for Reward.

ABSTRACT: Nociceptin and its receptor are widely distributed throughout the brain in regions associated with reward behavior, yet how and when they act is unknown. Here, we dissected the role of a nociceptin peptide circuit in reward seeking. We generated a prepronociceptin (Pnoc)-Cre mouse line that revealed a unique subpopulation of paranigral ventral tegmental area (pnVTA) neurons enriched in prepronociceptin. Fiber photometry recordings during progressive ratio operant behavior revealed pnVTA^Pnoc neurons become most active when mice stop seeking natural rewards. Selective pnVTA^Pnoc neuron ablation, inhibition, and conditional VTA nociceptin receptor (NOPR) deletion increased operant responding, revealing that the pnVTA^Pnoc nucleus and VTA NOPR signaling are neces

SUBMITTER: Parker KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7001890 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature