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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Two Different Real-Time Place Preference Paradigms Using Optogenetics within the Ventral Tegmental Area of the Mouse
Published on: February 12, 2020
Synaptic and intrinsic plasticity in the ventral tegmental area after chronic cocaine
Tanner Chase Francis1, Stephanie C Gantz1, Khaled Moussawi2
1Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Abstract:
Cocaine exposure induces persistent changes in synaptic transmission and intrinsic properties of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons. Despite significant progress in understanding cocaine-induced plasticity, an effective treatment of cocaine addiction is lacking. Chronic cocaine potentiates excitatory and alters inhibitory transmission to dopamine neurons, induces dopamine neuron hyperexcitability, and reduces dopamine release in projection areas. Understanding how intrinsic and synaptic plasticity interact to control dopamine neuron firing and dopamine release could prove useful in the development of new therapeutics. In this review, we examine recent literature discussing cocaine-induced plasticity in the VTA and highlight potential therapeutic interventions.
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