AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are assemblies of four core subunits, GluA1–4, that mediate
most fast excitatory neurotransmission. The component subunits determine the functional …

Addiction is a disease in which, after a period of recreational use, a subset of individuals
develops compulsive use that does not stop even in light of major negative consequences …

Ketamine is used clinically as an anaesthetic and a fast-acting antidepressant, and
recreationally for its dissociative properties, raising concerns of addiction as a possible side …

The motivation to seek social contact may arise from either positive or negative emotional
states, as social interaction can be rewarding and social isolation can be aversive. While …

Although it is challenging for individuals with cocaine addiction to achieve abstinence, the
greatest difficulty is avoiding relapse to drug taking, which is often triggered by cues …

Long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTP/LTD) can be elicited by activating N-
methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors, typically by the coincident activity of …

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a heterogeneous brain structure that serves a central
role in motivation and reward processing. Abnormalities in the function of VTA dopamine …

Addictive drugs have in common that they target the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA)
system. This system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects mainly to the …

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are not homogeneous but differ in their molecular
properties and responses to external stimuli. We examined whether the modulation of …

Experiences, whether they be learning in a classroom, a stressful event, or ingestion of a
psychoactive substance, impact the brain by modifying the activity and organization of …