Differential release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens evoked by low-versus high-frequency medial prefrontal cortex stimulation

Modulation of Nicotine-Associated Behaviour in Rats By μ-Opioid Signals from the Medial Prefrontal Cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens Shell

Nicotine addiction is a concern worldwide. Most mechanistic investigations are on nicotine substance dependence properties based on its pharmacological effects. However, no effective therapeutic treatment has been established. Nicotine addiction is reinforced by environments or habits. We demonstrate the neurobiological basis of the behavioural aspect of nicotine addiction. We utilized the conditioned place preference to establish nicotine-associated behavioural preferences (NABP) in rats. Brain-wide neuroimaging analysis revealed that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was activated and contributed to NABP. Chemogenetic manipulation of µ-opioid receptor positive (MOR+) neurons in the mPFC or the excitatory outflow to the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcShell) modulated the NABP. Electrophysiological recording confirmed that the MOR+ neurons directly regulate the mPFC-NAcShell circuit via GABAA receptors. Thus, the MOR+ neurons in the mPFC modulate the formation of behavioural aspects of nicotine addiction via direct excitatory innervation to the NAcShell, which may provide new insight for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1) deficiency alleviates MPP+-induced impairment of evoked dopamine release in the mouse hippocampus

The dopaminergic system is susceptible to dysfunction in numerous neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition to motor symptoms, some PD patients may experience non-motor symptoms, including cognitive and memory deficits. A possible explanation for their manifestation is a disturbed pattern of dopamine release in brain regions involved in learning and memory, such as the hippocampus. Therefore, investigating neuropathological alterations in dopamine release prior to neurodegeneration is imperative. This study aimed to characterize evoked hippocampal dopamine release and assess the impact of the neurotoxin MPP+ using a genetically encoded dopamine sensor and gene expression analysis. Additionally, considering the potential neuroprotective attributes demonstrated by apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1) in various animal-disease-like models, the study also aimed to determine whether Ask1 knockdown restores MPP+-altered dopamine release in acute hippocampal slices. We applied variations of low- and high-frequency stimulation to evoke dopamine release within different hippocampal regions and discovered that acute application of MPP+ reduced the amount of dopamine released and hindered the recovery of dopamine release after repeated stimulation. In addition, we observed that Ask1 deficiency attenuated the detrimental effects of MPP+ on the recovery of dopamine release after repeated stimulation. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that genes associated with the synaptic pathways are involved in response to MPP+ exposure. Notably, Ask1 deficiency was found to downregulate the expression of Slc5a7, a gene encoding a sodium-dependent high-affinity choline transporter that regulates acetylcholine levels. Respective follow-up experiments indicated that Slc5a7 plays a role in Ask1 deficiency-mediated protection against MPP+ neurotoxicity. In addition, increasing acetylcholine levels using an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor could exacerbate the toxicity of MPP+. In conclusion, our data imply that the modulation of the dopamine-acetylcholine balance may be a crucial mechanism of action underlying the neuroprotective effects of Ask1 deficiency in PD.

Deep brain stimulation alleviates tics in Tourette syndrome via striatal dopamine transmission

Tourette syndrome is a childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by intrusive motor and vocal tics that can lead to self-injury and deleterious mental health complications. While dysfunction in striatal dopamine neurotransmission has been proposed to underlie tic behaviour, evidence is scarce and inconclusive. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic centromedian parafascicular complex (CMPf), an approved surgical interventive treatment for medical refractory Tourette syndrome, may reduce tics by affecting striatal dopamine release. Here, we use electrophysiology, electrochemistry, optogenetics, pharmacological treatments and behavioural measurements to mechanistically examine how thalamic DBS modulates synaptic and tonic dopamine activity in the dorsomedial striatum. Previous studies demonstrated focal disruption of GABAergic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum of rats led to repetitive motor tics recapitulating the major symptom of Tourette syndrome. We employed this model under light anaesthesia and found CMPf DBS evoked synaptic dopamine release and elevated tonic dopamine levels via striatal cholinergic interneurons while concomitantly reducing motor tic behaviour. The improvement in tic behaviour was found to be mediated by D2 receptor activation as blocking this receptor prevented the therapeutic response. Our results demonstrate that release of striatal dopamine mediates the therapeutic effects of CMPf DBS and points to striatal dopamine dysfunction as a driver for motor tics in the pathoneurophysiology of Tourette syndrome.

Effect of temporal interference electrical stimulation on phasic dopamine release in the striatum

BACKGROUND

Temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is a neuromodulation technique that could stimulate deep brain regions by inducing interfering electrical signals based on high-frequency electrical stimulations of multiple electrode pairs from outside the brain. Despite numerous TIS studies, however, there has been limited investigation into the neurochemical effects of TIS.

OBJECTIVE

We performed two experiments to investigate the effect of TIS on the medial forebrain bundle (MFB)-evoked phasic dopamine (DA) response.

METHODS

In the first experiment, we applied TIS next to a carbon fiber microelectrode (CFM) to examine the modulation of the MFB-evoked phasic DA response in the striatum (STr). Beat frequencies and intensities of TIS were 0, 2, 6, 10, 20, 60, 130 Hz and 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μA. In the second experiment, we examined the effect of TIS with a 2 Hz beat frequency (based on the first experiment) on MFB-evoked phasic DA release when applied above the cortex (with a simulation-based stimulation site targeting the striatum). We employed 0 Hz and 2 Hz beat frequencies and a control condition without stimulation.

RESULTS

In the first experiment, TIS with a beat frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 400 μA or greater decreased MFB-evoked phasic DA release by roughly 40%, which continued until the experiment's end. In contrast, TIS at beat frequencies other than 2 Hz and intensities less than 400 μA did not affect MFB-evoked phasic DA release. In the second experiment, TIS with a 2 Hz beat frequency decreased only the MFB-evoked phasic DA response, but the reduction in DA release was not sustained.

CONCLUSIONS

STr-applied and cortex-applied TIS with delta frequency dampens evoked phasic DA release in the STr. These findings demonstrate that TIS could influence the neurochemical modulation of the brain.

The medial orbitofrontal cortex governs reward-related circuits in an age-dependent manner

Nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons integrate excitatory inputs from cortical and limbic structures, contributing to critical cognitive functions, including decision-making. As these afferents mature from adolescence through adulthood, incoming signals to the NAc may summate differently between age groups. Decision-making evaluates both reward and risk before action selection, suggesting an interplay between reward- and risk-related circuits. Medial orbitofrontal cortex (MO)-NAc circuits permit risk assessment behaviors and likely underlie risk information incorporation. As adolescents make reward-centric choices regardless of risk, we hypothesized the impact of MO activity alters reward-related NAc circuits in an age-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, we used single-unit electrophysiology to measure MO train stimulation's effect on reward-related pathways, specifically the basolateral amygdala (BLA)-NAc circuit, in adult and adolescent rats. MO train stimulation altered the strength but not the timing of BLA-NAc interactions in a frequency-dependent manner. In adults, MO train stimulation produced a frequency-dependent, bidirectional effect on BLA-evoked NAc AP probability. Contrastingly, MO train stimulation uniformly attenuated BLA-NAc interactions in adolescents. While the mature MO can govern reward-related circuits in an activity-dependent manner, perhaps to adapt to positive or negative decision-making outcomes, the adolescent MO may be less able to bidirectionally impact reward-related pathways resulting in biased decision-making.

Neurochemical Concentration Prediction Using Deep Learning vs Principal Component Regression in Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry: A Comparison Study

Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, are responsible for mediating a wide array of neurologic functions, from memory to motivation. From measurements using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), one of the main tools used to detect synaptic efflux of neurochemicals in vivo, principal component regression (PCR), has been commonly used to predict the identity and concentrations of neurotransmitters. However, the sensitivity and discrimination performance of PCR have room for improvement, especially for analyzing mixtures of similar oxidizable neurochemicals. Deep learning may be able to address these challenges. To date, there have been a few studies to apply machine learning to FSCV, but no attempt to apply deep learning to neurotransmitter mixture discrimination and no comparative study have been performed between PCR and deep learning methods to demonstrate which is more accurate for FSCV analysis so far. In this study, we compared the neurochemical identification and concentration estimation performance of PCR and deep learning in an analysis of FSCV recordings of catecholamine and indolamine neurotransmitters. Both analysis methods were tested on in vitro FSCV data with a single or mixture of neurotransmitters at the desired concentration. In addition, the estimation performance of PCR and deep learning was compared in incorporation with in vivo experiments to evaluate the practical usage. Pharmacological tests were also conducted to see whether deep learning would track the increased amount of catecholamine levels in the brain. Using conventional FSCV, we used five electrodes and recorded in vitro background-subtracted cyclic voltammograms from four neurotransmitters, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, with five concentrations of each substance, as well as various mixtures of the four analytes. The results showed that the identification accuracy errors were reduced 5-20% by using deep learning compared to using PCR for mixture analysis, and the two methods were comparable for single analyte analysis. The applied deep-learning-based method demonstrated not only higher identification accuracy but also better discrimination performance than PCR for mixtures of neurochemicals and even for in vivo testing. Therefore, we suggest that deep learning should be chosen as a more reliable tool to analyze FSCV data compared to conventional PCR methods although further work is still needed on developing complete validation procedures prior to widespread use.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Addictive Disorders-Where Are We Now?

In the face of a global epidemic of drug addiction, neglecting to develop new effective therapies will perpetuate the staggering human and economic costs of substance use. This review aims to summarize and evaluate the preclinical and clinical studies of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a novel therapy for refractory addiction, in hopes to engage and inform future research in this promising novel treatment avenue. An electronic database search (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library) was performed using keywords and predefined inclusion criteria between 1974 and 6/18/2021 (registered on Open Science Registry). Selected articles were reviewed in full text and key details were summarized and analyzed to understand DBS' therapeutic potential and possible mechanisms of action. The search yielded 25 animal and 22 human studies. Animal studies showed that DBS of targets such as nucleus accumbens (NAc), insula, and subthalamic nucleus reduces drug use and seeking. All human studies were case series/reports (level 4/5 evidence), mostly targeting the NAc with generally positive outcomes. From the limited evidence in the literature, DBS, particularly of the NAc, appears to be a reasonable last resort option for refractory addictive disorders. We propose that future research in objective electrophysiological (e.g., local field potentials) and neurochemical (e.g., extracellular dopamine levels) biomarkers would assist monitoring the progress of treatment and developing a closed-loop DBS system. Preclinical literature also highlighted the prefrontal cortex as a promising DBS target, which should be explored in human research.

Habitual caffeine consumption moderates the antidepressant effect of dorsomedial intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation

BACKGROUND

Potentiating current antidepressant treatment is much needed. Based on animal studies, caffeine may augment the effects of currently available antidepressants.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we tested whether habitual caffeine consumption moderates the antidepressant effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS).

METHODS

Forty patients with current depressive episodes were randomized to active iTBS (n = 19) or sham treatment (n = 21; shielded side of the coil and weak transcutaneous electrical stimulation) delivered two times per day for 10-15 weekdays. Neuronavigated stimulation was applied to the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Symptom improvement was measured using change in self-reported Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores. Pretreatment habitual caffeine consumption was quantified using self-reports of number of cups of coffee and energy drinks consumed the 2 days before the treatment starts.

RESULTS

Habitual caffeine consumption was associated with symptom improvement following active iTBS (r = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08-0.78, p = 0.025) but not following sham treatment (r = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.45 to 0.42, p = 0.938). A multiple regression analysis corroborated the findings by showing a significant caffeine consumption × treatment group interaction (β = 0.62, p = 0.043), but no main effects of treatment group (β = 0.22, p = 0.140) or caffeine consumption (β = -0.01, p = 0.948). No group differences in pretreatment symptom scores or caffeine consumption were detected (p values > 0.86).

CONCLUSION

Habitual caffeine consumption moderated the antidepressant effect of dorsomedial iTBS, consistent with caffeine improving antidepressant pharmacological treatments in animals. Caffeine is an antagonist of adenosine receptors and may enhance antidepressant effects through downstream dopaminergic targets.

Simultaneous serotonin and dopamine monitoring across timescales by rapid pulse voltammetry with partial least squares regression

Many voltammetry methods have been developed to monitor brain extracellular dopamine levels. Fewer approaches have been successful in detecting serotonin in vivo. No voltammetric techniques are currently available to monitor both neurotransmitters simultaneously across timescales, even though they play integrated roles in modulating behavior. We provide proof-of-concept for rapid pulse voltammetry coupled with partial least squares regression (RPV-PLSR), an approach adapted from multi-electrode systems (i.e., electronic tongues) used to identify multiple components in complex environments. We exploited small differences in analyte redox profiles to select pulse steps for RPV waveforms. Using an intentionally designed pulse strategy combined with custom instrumentation and analysis software, we monitored basal and stimulated levels of dopamine and serotonin. In addition to faradaic currents, capacitive currents were important factors in analyte identification arguing against background subtraction. Compared to fast-scan cyclic voltammetry-principal components regression (FSCV-PCR), RPV-PLSR better differentiated and quantified basal and stimulated dopamine and serotonin associated with striatal recording electrode position, optical stimulation frequency, and serotonin reuptake inhibition. The RPV-PLSR approach can be generalized to other electrochemically active neurotransmitters and provides a feedback pipeline for future optimization of multi-analyte, fit-for-purpose waveforms and machine learning approaches to data analysis.

Prefrontal Cortex-Driven Dopamine Signals in the Striatum Show Unique Spatial and Pharmacological Properties

Dopamine (DA) signals in the striatum are critical for a variety of vital processes, including motivation, motor learning, and reinforcement learning. Striatal DA signals can be evoked by direct activation of inputs from midbrain DA neurons (DANs) as well as cortical and thalamic inputs to the striatum. In this study, we show that in vivo optogenetic stimulation of prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IL) cortical afferents to the striatum triggers an increase in extracellular DA concentration, which coincides with elevation of striatal acetylcholine (ACh) levels. This increase is blocked by a nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) antagonist. Using single or dual optogenetic stimulation in brain slices from male and female mice, we compared the properties of these PrL/IL-evoked DA signals with those evoked by stimulation from midbrain DAN axonal projections. PrL/IL-evoked DA signals are undistinguishable from DAN evoked DA signals in their amplitudes and electrochemical properties. However, PrL/IL-evoked DA signals are spatially restricted and preferentially recorded in the dorsomedial striatum. PrL/IL-evoked DA signals also differ in their pharmacological properties, requiring activation of glutamate and nicotinic ACh receptors. Thus, both in vivo and in vitro results indicate that cortical evoked DA signals rely on recruitment of cholinergic interneurons, which renders DA signals less able to summate during trains of stimulation and more sensitive to both cholinergic drugs and temperature. In conclusion, cortical and midbrain inputs to the striatum evoke DA signals with unique spatial and pharmacological properties that likely shape their functional roles and behavioral relevance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dopamine signals in the striatum play a critical role in basal ganglia function, such as reinforcement and motor learning. Different afferents to the striatum can trigger dopamine signals, but their release properties are not well understood. Further, these input-specific dopamine signals have only been studied in separate animals. Here we show that optogenetic stimulation of cortical glutamatergic afferents to the striatum triggers dopamine signals both in vivo and in vitro These afferents engage cholinergic interneurons, which drive dopamine release from dopamine neuron axons by activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We also show that cortically evoked dopamine signals have other unique properties, including spatial restriction and sensitivity to temperature changes than dopamine signals evoked by stimulation of midbrain dopamine neuron axons.

Microelectrode-Based Electrochemical Sensing Technology for in Vivo Detection of Dopamine: Recent Developments and Future Prospects

Dopamine (DA) is an essential type of neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. DA neurons usually exist as nuclei which are mainly found in the ventral tegmental area (VTN) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia and other diseases are all related to the abnormal metabolism of DA. Compared with traditional DA detection methods such as spectrophotometry and electrophoresis, electrochemical sensing technology has high detection efficiency, high sensitivity, fast and convenient real-time detection, which is recognized as the most effective method for measuring neurotransmitters in vivo. The working electrode of an electrochemical sensor can be generally divided into the conventional electrode and the microelectrode according to its size. The microelectrode shows excellent properties such as high sensitivity, high temporal resolution, and high spatial resolution while detecting DA, which makes it possible to detect neurotransmitters in vivo. In order to further investigate the role of DA in regulating action, emotion, and cognition, and to further clarify the relationship between DA abnormalities or lack and neurological diseases such as Parkinson, more and more researchers apply microelectrode-based electrochemistry sensing technology to detect DA in vivo. This article reviews recent applications of microelectrodes and the latest researches in DA detection in vivo, focusing on the following three types of microelectrodes: (1) non-nanomaterial-modified carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFE); (2) nanomaterial-modified microelectrodes; (3) microelectrode arrays (MEA).

rTMS-Induced Changes in Glutamatergic and Dopaminergic Systems: Relevance to Cocaine and Methamphetamine Use Disorders

Cocaine use disorder and methamphetamine use disorder are chronic, relapsing disorders with no US Food and Drug Administration-approved interventions. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that has been increasingly investigated as a possible therapeutic intervention for substance use disorders. rTMS may have the ability to induce beneficial neuroplasticity in abnormal circuits and networks in individuals with addiction. The aim of this review is to highlight the rationale and potential for rTMS to treat cocaine and methamphetamine dependence: we synthesize the outcomes of studies in healthy humans and animal models to identify and understand the neurobiological mechanisms of rTMS that seem most involved in addiction, focusing on the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems. rTMS-induced changes to neurotransmitter systems include alterations to striatal dopamine release and metabolite levels, as well as to glutamate transporter and receptor expression, which may be relevant for ameliorating the aberrant plasticity observed in individuals with substance use disorders. We also discuss the clinical studies that have used rTMS in humans with cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders. Many such studies suggest changes in network connectivity following acute rTMS, which may underpin reduced craving following chronic rTMS. We suggest several possible future directions for research relating to the therapeutic potential of rTMS in addiction that would help fill current gaps in the literature. Such research would apply rTMS to animal models of addiction, developing a translational pipeline that would guide evidence-based rTMS treatment of cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder.

Mesolimbic dopamine D2 receptors and neural representations of subjective value

The process by which the value of delayed rewards is discounted varies from person to person. It has been suggested that these individual differences in subjective valuation of delayed rewards are supported by mesolimbic dopamine D2-like receptors (D2Rs) in the ventral striatum. However, no study to date has documented an association between direct measures of dopamine receptors and neural representations of subjective value in humans. Here, we examined whether individual differences in D2R availability were related to neural subjective value signals during decision making. Human participants completed a monetary delay discounting task during an fMRI scan and on a separate visit completed a PET scan with the high affinity D2R tracer [18 F]fallypride. Region-of-interest analyses revealed that D2R availability in the ventral striatum was positively correlated with subjective value-related activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and midbrain but not with choice behavior. Whole-brain analyses revealed a positive correlation between ventral striatum D2R availability and subjective value-related activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus and superior insula. These findings identify a link between a direct measure of mesolimbic dopamine function and subjective value representation in humans and suggest a mechanism by which individuals vary in neural representation of discounted subjective value.

A novel wireless brain stimulation device for long-term use in freely moving mice

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used in clinical settings for many years despite a paucity of knowledge related to the anatomical and functional substrates that lead to benefits and/or side-effects in various disease contexts. In order to maximize the potential of this approach in humans, a better understanding of its mechanisms of action is absolutely necessary. However, the existing micro-stimulators available for pre-clinical models, are limited by the lack of relevant small size devices. This absence prevents sustained chronic stimulation and real time monitoring of animals during stimulation, parameters that are critical for comparison to clinical findings. We therefore sought to develop and refine a novel small wireless micro-stimulator as a means by which to study consequent behavioural to molecular changes in experimental animals. Building on previous work from our group, we refined our implantable micro-stimulator prototype, to be easily combined with intravital 2-photon imaging. Using our prototype we were able to replicate the well described clinical benefits on motor impairment in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease in addition to capturing microglia dynamics live during stimulation. We believe this new device represents a useful tool for performing pre-clinical studies as well as dissecting brain circuitry and function.

Nicotine normalizes cortico-striatal connectivity in non-smoking individuals with major depressive disorder

Nicotine dependence and major depressive disorder (MDD) are highly comorbid, yet causal links between these prevalent disorders are unclear. One possible mechanism is that nicotine ameliorates MDD-related neurobiological dysfunction in specific networks. For instance, cortico-striatal circuitry is enhanced by nicotine, and such paths are disrupted in individuals with MDD. Specifically, MDD has been associated with reduced connectivity between the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) but enhanced connectivity between the dorsal striatum (DS) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Determining whether nicotine normalizes these circuits in non-smokers with MDD may elucidate mechanisms underlying links between disorders. This was tested by administering placebo and a 2-mg dose of nicotine to unmedicated non-smokers with and without MDD prior to collecting resting-state functional magnetic imaging data using a cross-over design. On placebo, individuals with MDD showed significantly reduced NAc-rACC and a trend for enhanced DS-DLPFC functional connectivity relative to healthy controls. In MDD, acute nicotine administration normalized both pathways to the level of healthy controls, while having no impact on healthy controls. Nicotine's effects on NAc-rACC connectivity was influenced by anhedonia, consistent with the role of this network in reward and nicotine's ability to enhance reward deficiencies in MDD. These results indicate that nicotine normalizes dysfunctional cortico-striatal communication in unmedicated non-smokers with MDD. Nicotine's influence on these circuitries highlights a possible mechanism whereby individuals with MDD are more vulnerable to develop nicotine dependence. Findings suggest that nicotinic agents may have therapeutic effects on disrupted cortico-striatal connectivity.

Parallels and Overlap: The Integration of Homeostatic Signals by Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons

Motivated behaviors are often initiated in response to perturbations of homeostasis. Indeed, animals and humans have fundamental drives to procure (appetitive behaviors) and eventually ingest (consummatory behaviors) substances based on deficits in body fluid (e.g., thirst) and energy balance (e.g., hunger). Consumption, in turn, reinforces motivated behavior and is therefore considered rewarding. Over the years, the constructs of homeostatic (within the purview of the hypothalamus) and reward (within the purview of mesolimbic circuitry) have been used to describe need-based vs. need-free consumption. However, many experiments have demonstrated that mesolimbic circuits and "higher-order" brain regions are also profoundly influenced by changes to physiological state, which in turn generate behaviors that are poised to maintain homeostasis. Mesolimbic pathways, particularly dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and their projections to nucleus accumbens (NAc), can be robustly modulated by a variety of energy balance signals, including post-ingestive feedback relaying nutrient content and hormonal signals reflecting hunger and satiety. Moreover, physiological states can also impact VTA-NAc responses to non-nutritive rewards, such as drugs of abuse. Coupled with recent evidence showing hypothalamic structures are modulated in anticipation of replenished need, classic boundaries between circuits that convey perturbations in homeostasis and those that drive motivated behavior are being questioned. In the current review, we examine data that have revealed the importance of mesolimbic dopamine neurons and their downstream pathways as a dynamic neurobiological mechanism that provides an interface between physiological state, perturbations to homeostasis, and reward-seeking behaviors.