Discharge Activity of Ventral Tegmental Area GABA Neurons during Alcohol Self-administration

Authors

Adam Bevan, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Steffensen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

discharge activity, ventral tegmental area, VTA, GABA neurons, alcohol

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

In today’s world addiction is pandemic. So many people are slaves to these controlling chemicals, from alcohol and street drugs to the more mild substances of coffee or over-thecounter medications. All these substances tend to influence brain chemistry, and the aim of our ongoing project is to uncover the effect of alcohol, cocaine and their anologues on midbrain circuitry. We believe that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons are primarily involved in addiction to these substances.

Recommended Citation

Bevan, Adam and Steffensen, Dr. Scott (2013) "Discharge Activity of Ventral Tegmental Area GABA Neurons during Alcohol Self-administration," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 487.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/487