In the accumbens, where most of the neurons are medium-spiny GABA neurons, we have found that the intrinsic synapses made by these neurons are potently modulated by dopamine. We are now doing coordinated electrophysiological and imaging experiments to study dopamine action at individual GABA synapses. To examine plasticity in dopamine receptor distribution, we aim to extend these studies to brain slices using two-photon microscopy. Amphetamine redistributes dopamine from synaptic vesicles to the cytosol and promotes reverse transport. Visualization of D1 dopamine receptors on living nucleus accumbens neurons and their colocalization with D2 receptors.
Dopamine neurons make glutamatergic synapses in vitro.
Mesoaccumbens dopamine neuron synapses reconstructed in vitro are glutamatergic.