Dopamine-releasing neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have central roles in
reward-related and goal-directed behaviours. VTA dopamine-releasing neurons are …

Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) is a key concept in developing our understanding of
cue-controlled behaviours. Here we have reviewed the literature on behavioural and …

Morphine is a highly potent analgesic with high addictive potential in specific contexts.
Although dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are widely believed to play …

The tail of the ventral tegmental area (tVTA), also named the rostromedial tegmental nucleus
(RMTg), is a recently defined midbrain structure considered to exert a major inhibitory drive …

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 …

The canonical two neuron model of opioid reward posits that mu opioid receptor (MOR)
activation produces reward by disinhibiting midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine …

The lateral habenula (LHb) provides an important source of negative reinforcement signals
to midbrain dopamine (DA) cells in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) …

The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), a structure located just posterior to the ventral
tegmental area (VTA), is an important site involved in aversion processes. The RMTg …

Opioids increase dopamine release in the brain through inhibition of GABA-A IPSCs onto
dopamine cells. Immunolabeling indicates that GABA neurons in the rostromedial tegmental …

The concept of cortical-subcortical loops emphasizes the importance of the basal ganglia for
motor, psychomotor, and emotional cortical functions. These loops are bidirectionally …