IP₃Receptor Sensitization duringIn VivoAmphetamine Experience Enhances NMDA Receptor Plasticity in Dopamine Neurons of the Ventral Tegmental Area

Abstract

As a consequence, NMDAR-mediated transmission becomes more susceptible to LTP induction after repeated amphetamine exposure. We have also found that the magnitude of amphetamine-conditioned place preference (CPP) in behaving rats correlates with the magnitude of mGluR-dependent Ca 2ϩ signal facilitation measured in VTA slices prepared from these rats. Furthermore, the development of amphetamine CPP is significantly attenuated by intra-VTA infusion of the PKA inhibitor H89. We propose that enhancement of mGluR-dependent NMDAR plasticity in the VTA may promote the learning of environmental stimuli repeatedly associated with amphetamine experience.

Dopaminergic Neurons Exhibit an Age-Dependent Decline in Electrophysiological Parameters in the MitoPark Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

“…We also applied a 100 ms depolarization step to 0 mV (Fig. 3D, top) to induce an afterhyperpolarization current (AHC), which in dopaminergic neurons is largely dependent on small conductance calcium activated potassium (SK) channels (Wolfart et al, 2001;Ahn et al, 2010;Branch et al, 2014). Sample traces are shown for control (age 11.1 weeks old) and MitoPark mice (age 10.6 weeks old; Fig.…”

In Vivo Ethanol Experience Increases D2 Autoinhibition in the Ventral Tegmental Area

“…It should be noted that reduced dopamine release after ethanol withdrawal has been detected in both the core and shell of the NAc (Weiss et al, 1996). Although electrophysiological identification of dopamine neurons has been challenged (Margolis et al, 2006), the criteria described above have been used in recent studies performing recordings from the lateral part of the VTA in horizontal slices (Ahn et al, 2010;Beckstead et al, 2009;Ford et al, 2006;Riegel and Williams, 2008;Wanat et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2010).…”

Regulatory Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Significance of IP3 Receptors and Ryanodine Receptors in Drug Dependence

“…In addition, a previous study demonstrated that enhancement of activity of dopaminergic neurons in the rat ventral tegmental area by IP 3 R-1 stimulation is an essential step for subsequent behavioral changes and that this step probably is involved in amphetamine-induced rewarding effect (22). Similarly, our recent studies show that both methamphetamine and cocaine, well known psychostimulants, upregulate IP 3 Rs-1 in association with strengthening of their rewarding effect and that the increases of the rewarding effect in response to both agents were significantly suppressed by the IP 3 Rs antagonists 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and xestospongin C. In addition, both events, IP 3 R-1 upregulation and the increase of the rewarding effect, were significantly suppressed by antagonists selective to dopamine D 1 -and D 2 -like receptors (23,24).…”