Addictive drugs have in common that they target the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA)
system. This system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects mainly to the …

To date, studies suggest that biological signaling by nitric oxide (NO) is primarily mediated
by cGMP, which is synthesized by NO-activated guanylyl cyclases and broken down by …

Since the observation that nitric oxide (NO) can act as an intercellular messenger in the
brain, the past 25 years have witnessed the steady accumulation of evidence that it acts pre …

Adaptation of the nervous system to different chemical and physiologic conditions is
important for the homeostasis of brain processes and for learning and remembering …

Experience-dependent modifications of neural circuits and function are believed to heavily
depend on changes in synaptic efficacy such as LTP/LTD. Hence, much effort has been …

Ubiquitous forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) are caused by
enduring increases or decreases in neurotransmitter release. Such forms or presynaptic …

While stressful experiences are a part of everyone's life, they can also exact a major toll on
health. Stressful life experiences are associated with increased substance abuse, and there …

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative brain disorder characterized by
memory impairment, dementia, and oxidative stress in elderly people. Currently, only a few …

The study of neuronal adaptations induced by opiate drugs is particularly relevant today
given their widespread prescription and nonprescription use. Although much is known about …

Synaptic plasticity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is modulated by drugs of abuse and
stress and is hypothesized to contribute to specific aspects of addiction. Both excitatory and …