AI Summary
This article discusses the role of VTA glutamate neurons in driving both reward and aversion responses. The researchers found that these neurons co-release glutamate and dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, and their activation is linked to both positive reinforcement and aversion. By disrupting the release of glutamate from these neurons, positive reinforcement is selectively abolished, while disrupting their ability to co-release dopamine specifically abolishes place aversion. This study highlights the complex interplay between glutamate and dopamine in the brain's reward system.
VTA glutamate neurons co-release glutamate and dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, and their activation is associated with both positive reinforcement and aversion. Warlow et al. demonstrate that disrupting glutamate release from VTA glutamate neurons selectively abolishes positive reinforcement, whereas disrupting their ability to co-release dopamine selectively abolishes place aversion.