# Role of novel VTA neurons in addiction-related behaviors

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2024 · $505,205

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a core component of the neural circuitry that drives goal-directed
behaviors and a primary target of drugs of abuse. Although generally regarded as a dopaminergic
nucleus, many VTA neurons can signal through release of the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate.
These neurons are also targets of drugs of abuse but much less studied. Like VTA dopamine neurons,
activity in VTA GABA and glutamate neurons can profoundly shape motivated behaviors. Furthermore,
sub-populations of VTA neurons release more than one of these recycling transmitters, including
neurons that co-release dopamine and glutamate, or glutamate and GABA. A major goal of this
proposal is to identify how these three major transmitters released from VTA act on postsynaptic
neurons to alter behavioral reinforcement. And to assess the contribution of non-dopamine VTA
projection neurons and inputs to VTA in opioid-induced behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10888800
- **Project number:** 2R01DA036612-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Hnasko
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $505,205
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2014-04-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10888800

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10888800, Role of novel VTA neurons in addiction-related behaviors (2R01DA036612-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10888800. Licensed CC0.

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