Ventral tegmental area dopamine and GABA neurons: Physiological properties and expression of mRNA for endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes and type I metabotropic glutamate receptors

Authors

Zachary Hopkins, Brigham Young University
Jeffrey G. Edwards, Brigham Young University

Keywords

ventral tegmental area dopamine, mRNA expression, endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes, type I metabotropic glutamate receptors

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

The ventral tegmental area or VTA is considered to be one of the foremost centers involved in motivation and reward processing in the brain [1]. This area is also heavily implicated in addiction. However, little is known in regards to the exact cell types and subtypes found there, or the types of signaling that occur. We were interested in investigating the possibility of retrograde signaling among the two predominant cell groups in the VTA: GABA and dopamine neurons. Both cell types can be acted on by drugs of abuse, either to directly affect DA release or indirectly through GABA cells also leading to increased release of dopamine [2]. We chose to investigate a form of retrograde signaling that occurs via endocannabinoids. Thus, the focus of our research was two-pronged: to accurately identify subtypes of neurons and also investigate if the neurons are capable of participating in endocannabinoid signaling.

Recommended Citation

Hopkins, Zachary and Edwards, Jeffrey G. (2015) "Ventral tegmental area dopamine and GABA neurons: Physiological properties and expression of mRNA for endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes and type I metabotropic glutamate receptors," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 157.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/157