Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: August 10, 2012
Medial septum differentially regulates dopamine neuron activity in the rat ventral tegmental area and substantia
David M Bortz1, Anthony A Grace2
1Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. dmb164@pitt.edu.
Abstract:
The medial septum (MS) impacts hippocampal activity and the hippocampus, in turn, regulates midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron activity. However, it remains to be determined how MS activation impacts midbrain DA activity. This question was addressed by infusing NMDA (0.75 µg/0.2 µL) into the medial septum of anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats and recording dopamine neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). MS activation increased (71%) the number of spontaneously active DA neurons in the VTA, and decreased (40%) the number of active DA neurons in the SNc. Effects in both the VTA and SNc required the ventral subiculum, but were differentially dependent on cholinergic and GABAergic mechanisms within the vSub and rostral and caudal subregions of the ventral pallidum, respectively. MS activation also decreased amphetamine-induced locomotor behavior, which was dependent on GABAergic inputs to the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that the MS differentially regulates meso-striatal DA transmission via distinct pathways.
More Related Videos
06:40Combined Infusion and Stimulation with Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry CIS-FSCV to Assess Ventral Tegmental Area Receptor Regulation of Phasic Dopamine
Published on: April 23, 2020
08:29Laser Capture Microdissection - A Demonstration of the Isolation of Individual Dopamine Neurons and the Entire Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: February 6, 2015
Related Concept Videos
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins,...
Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Master Transcription Regulators
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...