Topic: VTA GABA neurons

Our previous studies have suggested that acupuncture modulates the mesolimbic dopamine(DA) system, a region implicated in drug abuse. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that the stimulation of acupuncture activates mesolimbic GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area(VTA), thereby affecting the inhibition of addictive behavior. Cocaine injections and LI5 acupuncture stimulation significantly increased locomotor activity, but HT7 acupuncture inhibited cocaine-induced locomotion. In vivo fiber photometry showed that HT7 stimulation significantly activated VTA GABA neurons compared to con

Social buffering, the phenomenon by which the presence of others can reduce the consequences of stressful experiences, has been observed in both humans and rodents, yet the precise mechanism by which social interactions can offset the negative impact of stress remains unknown. Here, utilizing a new behavioral paradigm, we demonstrate that brief social interaction with a familiar, unstressed individual after acute restraint, is sufficient to ameliorate the stress-induced deficits in reward seeking in both male and female mice. Previous studies indicate that within the ventral tegmental area (VT