Abstract
Salsolinol and ethanol-derived excitation of dopamine mesolimbic neurons: new insights
Highlights
Evidence supporting the essential role of brain-derived ethanol metabolites in the excitation of dopamine (DA) midbrain neurons has multiplied in the last 10–15 years
The question now is: Could Sal be the responsible for the ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neuronal excitation after ethanol administration? In this issue of Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience, Xie and Ye review direct electrophysiological evidences supporting the role of Sal in the VTA DA neuronal activation after ethanol administration
Behavioral studies published in the last few years, showed that Sal directly administered into the posterior VTA is able to induce motor activation through a mechanism dependent on mu-opioid receptors (MORs) (Hipólito et al, 2010)
Summary
Evidence supporting the essential role of brain-derived ethanol metabolites in the excitation of dopamine (DA) midbrain neurons has multiplied in the last 10–15 years. At the beginning of the past decade, a remarkable leap in the study of the ACD involvement in the ethanol-derived activation of VTA DA neurons was done. Several electrophysiological studies (Foddai et al, 2004; Melis et al, 2007) directly demonstrated that VTA DA neurons are not excited after ethanol administration if ACD production is inhibited.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
