Crucial Role of Acetaldehyde in Alcohol Activation of the Mesolimbic Dopamine System

AbstractDopamine regulates reward-related behavior through the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Stress affects dopamine levels and dopaminergic neuronal activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Changes in mesolimbic dopaminergic neurotransmission are important for coping with stress, as they allow adaption to behavioral responses to various environmental stimuli. Upon stress exposure, modulation of the dopaminergic reward system is necessary for monitoring and selecting the optimal process for coping with stressful situations. Aversive stressful events may negatively regulate the dopaminergic reward system, perturbing reward sensitivity, which is closely associated with chronic stress-induced depression. The mesolimbic dopamine system is excited not only by reward but also by aversive stressful stimuli, which adds further intriguing complexity to the relationship between stress and the reward system. This review focuses on lines of evidence related to how stress, especially chronic stress, affects the mesolimbic dopamine system, and discusses the role of the dopaminergic reward system in chronic stress-induced depression.

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Pain-Related Depression of the Mesolimbic Dopamine System in Rats: Expression, Blockade by Analgesics, and Role of Endogenous κ-opioids

Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1038/npp.2013.236 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 614-624 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Michael D Leitl ◽

Sara Onvani ◽

M Scott Bowers ◽

Kejun Cheng ◽

Kenner C Rice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mesolimbic Dopamine ◽

Dopamine System ◽

Mesolimbic Dopamine System

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The vital role of constitutive GPCR activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/tp.2013.130 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. e361-e361 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

F J Meye ◽

G M J Ramakers ◽

R A H Adan

Keyword(s):

Vital Role ◽

Mesolimbic Dopamine ◽

Dopamine System ◽

Mesolimbic Dopamine System

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Contribution of the mesolimbic dopamine system in mediating the effects of leptin and ghrelin on feeding

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665112000614 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 435-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

R. van Zessen ◽

G. van der Plasse ◽

R. A. H. Adan

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Dopaminergic Neurons ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Neural Circuit ◽

Direct Effects ◽

Mesolimbic Dopamine ◽

Dopamine System ◽

Mesolimbic Dopamine System ◽

Brain Circuits

Feeding behaviour is crucial for the survival of an organism and is regulated by different brain circuits. Among these circuits the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system is implicated in the anticipation and motivation for food rewards. This system consists of the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and their projections to different cortico-limbic structures such as the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. While the importance of this system in motivational drive for different rewards, including drugs of abuse, has been clearly established, its role in energy balance remains largely unexplored. Evidence suggests that peripheral hormones such as leptin and ghrelin are involved in the anticipation and motivation for food and this might be partially mediated through their effects on the VTA. Yet, it remains to be determined whether these effects are direct effects of ghrelin and leptin onto VTA DA neurons, and to what extent indirect effects through other brain areas contribute. Elucidation of the role of leptin and ghrelin signalling on VTA DA neurons in relation to disruptions of energy balance might provide important insights into the role of this neural circuit in obesity and anorexia nervosa.

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