Abstract
Reward seeking is controlled by conditioned stimuli (CSs). There is a positive relation between mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) and the performance of learned reward-directed behavior. The mechanisms by which reward-, including drug-, associated stimuli come to acquire the capacity to activate the DA systems are not fully understood. In this review, we discuss the possible neurochemical mechanisms within the ventral tegmental area that may be involved in how CSs acquire the capacity to activate ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons based on principles of long-term potentiation in the VTA and the role of mesocorticolimbic DA in reward-related learning. We propose that CSs function as such because they acquire the capacity to activate VTA DA neurons. Furthermore, CSs come to acquire this control of VTA DA cells when there is coincident N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor stimulation on VTA DA cells and strong depolarization of VTA DA cells, possibly by muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation on these cells. This coincident activity leads to the strengthening of CS-associated glutamatergic synapses and the control by CSs of mesocorticolimbic DA systems and reward-directed behavior.
About the author
Robert Ranaldi obtained his PhD degree in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from Queen's University in Kingston, Canada in 1994, under the mentorship of Richard J. Beninger. He then took a postdoctoral position at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) with David C.S. Roberts, followed by an NSERC-funded post-doctoral position at Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) with Roy A. Wise. Dr. Ranaldi then joined the laboratory of William L. Woolverton as a research assistant professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In 2001 Dr. Ranaldi accepted his current faculty position in the Psychology Department at Queens College of the City University of New York. His research has always focused on the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying reward-related learning, motivation and drug addiction. Dr. Ranaldi has published 49 articles in peer-reviewed journals, given numerous national and international talks, has had his research funded by several intraand extramural agencies, served as reviewer for over 20 different neuroscience-related journals, and has taught several courses in psychology and neuroscience at the college level.
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