Braking dopamine systems: a new GABA master structure for mesolimbic and nigrostriatal functions.
Journal of Neuroscience. 2012-10-10; 32(41): 14094-14101
DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3370-12.2012
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1. J Neurosci. 2012 Oct 10;32(41):14094-101. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3370-12.2012.
Braking dopamine systems: a new GABA master structure for mesolimbic and
nigrostriatal functions.
Barrot M(1), Sesack SR, Georges F, Pistis M, Hong S, Jhou TC.
Author information:
(1)Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France.
A new mesopontine structure exerting a strong influence on dopamine systems has
recently been defined: the tail of the ventral tegmental area/rostromedial
tegmental nucleus (tVTA/RMTg). This review presents a neuroanatomical,
physiological, and behavioral overview of some of the recent and ongoing research
on this brain region and its relationship with dopamine systems. The tVTA/RMTg
sends dense GABA projections to VTA and substantia nigra neurons. The inhibitory
influence of tVTA/RMTg on dopamine neurons is supported by both neuroanatomical
and electrophysiology data. The latter studies also reveal the tVTA/RMTg as a
substrate for morphine and cannabinoid action on dopamine cells. In primates, the
tVTA/RMTg has been implicated in reward prediction error signals, through a basal
ganglia-lateral habenula-tVTA/RMTg-dopamine-basal ganglia circuit. In rodents,
the tVTA/RMTg has been shown to play a critical role in aversive behaviors,
particularly those involving behavioral inhibition, such as freezing and
avoidance. These findings highlight the functional importance of the tVTA/RMTg as
a major GABA brake for dopamine systems.
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3370-12.2012
PMCID: PMC3513755
PMID: 23055478 [Indexed for MEDLINE]