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Linking context with reward: a functional circuit from hippocampal CA3 to ventral tegmental area.

ABSTRACT: Reward-motivated behavior is strongly influenced by the learned significance of contextual stimuli in the environment. However, the neural pathways that mediate context-reward relations are not well understood. We have identified a circuit from area CA3 of dorsal hippocampus to ventral tegmental area (VTA) that uses lateral septum (LS) as a relay. Theta frequency stimulation of CA3 excited VTA dopamine (DA) neurons and inhibited non-DA neurons. DA neuron excitation was likely mediated by disinhibition because local antagonism of ?-aminobutyric acid receptors blocked responses to CA3 stimulation. Inactivating components of the CA3-LS-VTA pathway blocked evoked responses in VTA and also reinstatement of cocaine-seeking by contextual stimuli. This transsynaptic link between hippocampus and VTA appears to be an important substrate by which environmental context regulates goal-directed behavior.

SUBMITTER: Luo AH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3150711 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Linking context with reward: a functional circuit from hippocampal CA3 to ventral tegmental area.

Luo Alice H AH Tahsili-Fahadan Pouya P Wise Roy A RA Lupica Carl R CR Aston-Jones Gary G

Science (New York, N.Y.) 20110701 6040

Reward-motivated behavior is strongly influenced by the learned significance of contextual stimuli in the environment. However, the neural pathways that mediate context-reward relations are not well understood. We have identified a circuit from area CA3 of dorsal hippocampus to ventral tegmental area (VTA) that uses lateral septum (LS) as a relay. Theta frequency stimulation of CA3 excited VTA dopamine (DA) neurons and inhibited non-DA neurons. DA neuron excitation was likely mediated by disinhi ...[more]

PMID: 21764750

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