The striatal and pallidal complexes are basal ganglia structures that orchestrate learning
and execution of flexible behavior. Models of how the basal ganglia subserve these …

Various roles of intestinal flora in the gut-brain axis response pathway have received
enormous attention because of their unique position in intestinal flora-derived metabolites …

Striatal dopamine and acetylcholine are essential for the selection and reinforcement of
motor actions and decision-making. In vitro studies have revealed an intrastriatal circuit in …

Motivation to work for potential rewards is critically dependent on dopamine (DA) in the
nucleus accumbens (NAc). DA release from NAc axons can be controlled by at least two …

Viral tracers that enable efficient retrograde labeling of projection neurons are powerful
vehicles for structural and functional dissections of the neural circuit and for the treatment of …

Chronic pain is a tremendous burden for afflicted individuals and society. Although opioids
effectively relieve pain, significant adverse outcomes limit their utility and efficacy. To …

The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central component of the brain's reward circuitry, has been
implicated in a wide range of behaviors and emotional states. Emerging evidence, primarily …

Feeding behavior is a complex physiological process regulated by the interplay between
homeostatic and hedonic feeding circuits. Among the neural structures involved, the nucleus …

Emerging evidence suggests that the mesolimbic dopaminergic network plays a role in the
modulation of pain. As chronic pain conditions are associated with hypodopaminergic tone …

Dopamine signaling from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays critical roles in reward-
related behaviors, but less is known about the functions of neighboring VTA GABAergic …