Functional Interaction Between GABAergic Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area and Serotonergic Neurons in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus

ABSTRACT: GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have brain-wide projections and are involved in multiple behavioral and physiological functions. Here, we revealed the responsiveness of Gad67+ neurons in VTA (VTAGad67+) to various neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness by slice patch clamp recording. Among the substances tested, a cholinergic agonist activated, but serotonin, dopamine and histamine inhibited these neurons. Dense VTAGad67+ neuronal projections were observed in brain areas regulating sleep/wakefulness, including the central amygdala (CeA), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and locus coeruleus (LC). Using a combination of electrophysiology and optogenetic studies, we showed that VTAGad67+ neurons inhibited all neurons recorded in the DRN, but did not

SUBMITTER: Rahaman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9160575 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature