We identify selective patterns of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) activity associated with novel and familiar social interactions. We reveal opposite patterns of activity in GABAergic neurons of the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Through viral tracing and recordings we found the IPN controls DA release via the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus.
Synaptic tracing confirms dopamine (DA) input from the ventral tegmental area paranigral area innervating the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) of the midbrain. In vivo IPN DA neurotransmission correlates with behavioral measures of motivated exploratory behavior.
This work provides a neuronal basis underlying the role of the interpeduncular nucleus of the midbrain in the expression of somatic and affective behaviors of nicotine withdrawal.
These data identifies circuits and transcriptional profiling of midbrain neurons regulating anxiety-like behavior in baseline and during nicotine withdrawal conditions.
