The origin of glutamatergic synaptic inputs controls synaptic plasticity and its modulation by alcohol in mice nucleus accumbens

PL (Prelimbic area) MBA:972 functionally connects to ACB (Nucleus accumbens) MBA:56 · Mouse

Brief blue light stimulation of ChR2-expressing prelimbic cortical fibers reliably evoked short-latency inward currents and EPSPs in accumbens medium spiny neurons; these responses were completely abolished by the AMPA/kainate blocker DNQX, and the pathway showed strong paired-pulse depression, an AMPA/NMDA ratio near 2.5, and spike-timing dependent LTD but no LTP.

Figs. 1B–F, 2A–C, 4, 5, 6

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HPF (Hippocampal formation) MBA:1089 functionally connects to ACB (Nucleus accumbens) MBA:56 · Mouse

Blue-light stimulation of ChR2-expressing ventral hippocampal afferents elicited glutamatergic AMPA/NMDA EPSCs and EPSPs in accumbens medium spiny neurons (n = 15 cells tested for plasticity), supporting both spike-timing dependent LTP and LTD; these synapses had a highly variable AMPA/NMDA ratio (mean 5.7) and weaker magnesium block of NMDA currents than cortical or amygdala inputs.

Figs. 2H–K, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8C–D

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BLA (Basolateral amygdalar nucleus) MBA:295 functionally connects to ACB (Nucleus accumbens) MBA:56 · Mouse

Light activation of ChR2-expressing fibers from the basal amygdala evoked glutamatergic AMPA- and NMDA-mediated EPSCs/EPSPs in accumbens medium spiny neurons; pairing with postsynaptic spikes produced LTP in 8 of 14 recorded MSNs and LTD in the remaining 6, and the AMPA/NMDA ratio averaged 2.51.

Figs. 2D–G, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8A–B

Made by an AI model reading the paper (claude-opus-5, extract@0.3.0); a second AI model (claude-opus-5-5) disagrees. “The 8/14 (0.571) figure is the fraction of MSNs showing tLTP, not a connection probability, so the number is misattributed.”

PL (Prelimbic area) MBA:972 projects to ACB (Nucleus accumbens) MBA:56 · Mouse

After bilateral AAV9-ChR2-EYFP injection into the prelimbic prefrontal cortex, fluorescent cortical axons were visualized in the nucleus accumbens region (near the anterior commissure) in coronal slices containing only terminals from the injected region.

Fig. 1A; Methods (Animal Surgeries)

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