PPARα regulates cholinergic-driven activity of midbrain dopamine neurons via a novel mechanism involving α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

• Published in: The Journal of neuroscience Vol. 33; no. 14; pp. 6203 - 6211
• Main Authors: Melis, Miriam, Scheggi, Simona, Carta, Gianfranca, Madeddu, Camilla, Lecca, Salvatore, Luchicchi, Antonio, Cadeddu, Francesca, Frau, Roberto, Fattore, Liana, Fadda, Paola, Ennas, M Grazia, Castelli, M Paola, Fratta, Walter, Schilstrom, Bjorn, Banni, Sebastiano, De Montis, M Graziella, Pistis, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Society for Neuroscience 03.04.2013
• Subjects: Action Potentials - drug effects; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Benzamides - pharmacology; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds - pharmacology; Carbamates - pharmacology; Cholinergic Agents - pharmacology; Dihydro-beta-Erythroidine - pharmacology; Dopaminergic Neurons - drug effects; Dopaminergic Neurons - physiology; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Ethanolamines - metabolism; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists - pharmacology; In Vitro Techniques; Ligands; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Patch-Clamp Techniques; PPAR alpha - agonists; PPAR alpha - metabolism; Pyrimidines - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Nicotinic - metabolism; Swimming - psychology; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - metabolism; Ventral Tegmental Area - cytology

Ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons control reward-driven learning, and their dysregulation can lead to psychiatric disorders. Tonic and phasic activity of these dopaminergic neurons depends on cholinergic tone and activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly those cont...