2019
The Striatum’s Role in Executing Rational and Irrational Economic Behaviors
Bamford IJ, Bamford NS. The Striatum’s Role in Executing Rational and Irrational Economic Behaviors. The Neuroscientist 2019, 25: 475-490. PMID: 30678530, PMCID: PMC6656632, DOI: 10.1177/1073858418824256.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIrrational economic behaviorExecutive functionStriatum's roleMotor learningMotor movementsSensory stimulationExcitatory glutamatergic activityBehavioral economicsHabit formationNovel stimulationNeural pathwaysReflexive actionDecision makingReflexive movementsRational behaviorEconomic behaviorRational responseRewardDopamine releaseBehaviorStriatumGlutamatergic activityLearningCortexThalamus
2018
Dopamine’s Effects on Corticostriatal Synapses during Reward-Based Behaviors
Bamford NS, Wightman RM, Sulzer D. Dopamine’s Effects on Corticostriatal Synapses during Reward-Based Behaviors. Neuron 2018, 97: 494-510. PMID: 29420932, PMCID: PMC5808590, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.01.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVariety of neurotransmittersPresynaptic filterCorticostriatal synapsesExcitatory inputsDopamine effectsExcitatory synapsesSynaptic pathwaysDopamine neurotransmissionLocal releaseSynapsesOperant responseCoordinated activationActivationResponseStriatumNeurotransmissionNeuron outputNeurotransmitters
2016
Nicotine Modifies Corticostriatal Plasticity and Amphetamine Rewarding Behaviors in Mice1,2,3
Storey GP, Gonzalez-Fernandez G, Bamford IJ, Hur M, McKinley JW, Heimbigner L, Minasyan A, Walwyn WM, Bamford NS. Nicotine Modifies Corticostriatal Plasticity and Amphetamine Rewarding Behaviors in Mice1,2,3. ENeuro 2016, 3: eneuro.0095-15.2015. PMID: 26866057, PMCID: PMC4745180, DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0095-15.2015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAlpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorAmphetamineAnimalsCentral Nervous System StimulantsCholinergic NeuronsConditioning, OperantCorpus StriatumDrug-Seeking BehaviorFemaleMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMotor ActivityMotor CortexNeural PathwaysNeuronal PlasticityNicotineNicotinic AgonistsReceptors, NicotinicRewardSelf AdministrationConceptsCorticostriatal activityAmphetamine challengeGlutamate releaseLocomotor sensitizationDirect pathway medium spiny neuronsAmphetamine-induced locomotor sensitizationActive cholinergic interneuronsAmphetamine-seeking behaviorSubsequent drug challengeMedium spiny neuronsActivity ex vivoNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsDrug-seeking behaviorPeriod of abstinenceSelf-administer amphetamineDrugs of abuseSelf-administering miceDrug-taking behaviorDwelling catheterAmphetamine withdrawalCholinergic interneuronsGlutamatergic activityPresynaptic depressionPotentiating responseSpiny neurons
2011
Attenuating GABAA Receptor Signaling in Dopamine Neurons Selectively Enhances Reward Learning and Alters Risk Preference in Mice
Parker JG, Wanat MJ, Soden ME, Ahmad K, Zweifel LS, Bamford NS, Palmiter RD. Attenuating GABAA Receptor Signaling in Dopamine Neurons Selectively Enhances Reward Learning and Alters Risk Preference in Mice. Journal Of Neuroscience 2011, 31: 17103-17112. PMID: 22114279, PMCID: PMC3235504, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1715-11.2011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDA neuronsDA neuron activityGABAA Receptor SignalingPhasic dopamine transmissionPhasic DA responsesAversive learningAppetitive learningGABAergic toneExcitatory afferentsMidbrain slicesDA releaseDopamine neuronsExcitatory driveDopamine transmissionNucleus accumbensDA responseElectrical stimulationNeuron activityDA signalingPsychiatric conditionsCompensatory upregulationMiceNeuronsReceptor signalingAppetitive task