The Mesolimbic Dopamine Activity Signatures of Relapse to Alcohol-Seeking

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0724-20.2020
• Publication Date: 2020-07-15T21:45:14Z
• Authors: Yu Liu; Philip Jean-Richa...; Joanna Oi-Yue Yau; Alexandra Willing; Asheeta A. Prasad; John M. Power; Simon Killcross; Colin W.G. Clifford; Gavan P. McNally
• Keywords: Mesolimbic pathway; Ventral striatum; Extinction (optical mineralogy)

The mesolimbic dopamine system comprises distinct compartments supporting different functions in learning and motivation. Less well understood is how complex addiction-related behaviors emerge from activity patterns across these compartments. Here we show forms of relapse to alcohol-seeking male rats are assembled the VTA nucleus accumbens. First, used chemogenetic approaches a causal role for TH neurons two alcohol-seeking: renewal (context-induced reinstatement) reacquisition. Then, using gCaMP fiber photometry neurons, identified medial lateral neuron profiles during self-administration, renewal, Next, optogenetic inhibition roles subregions relapse. We then dLight measure binding ventral striatum (medial accumbens shell, core, shell) showed heterogeneous self-administration Finally, representational similarity analysis identify signatures extinction, Our results that can be unique <b>SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT</b> It axiomatic actions critical drug addiction. Yet drug-seeking poorly understood. relates specific compartments, change relapse, relapse-associated extinction. report