•  
  •  
 

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

GABA electrical networks, brain stimulation, motivated behaviors, mesocortical

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The basis for my project is predicated on the rewarding properties of alcohol and other substances of abuse. We set out to further our understanding the neural system that is involved in intracranial self stimulation (ICSS) and how this system is mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. Studies involving intravenous self administration (SA) of opiates and psychostimulants have identified specific neural substrates that mediate the reinforcing actions of these drugs and they constitute part of the same central nervous reward system that has evolved for mediating natural motivated behaviors, the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system.1,2

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS