title: Optogenetics in Freely Moving Mammals: Dopamine and Reward.
abstract: Brain reward systems play a central role in the cognitive and hedonic behaviors of mammals. Multiple neuron types and brain regions are involved in reward processing, posing fascinating scientific questions, and major experimental challenges. Using diverse approaches including genetics, electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioral analysis, a large body of research has focused on both normal functioning of the reward circuitry and on its potential significance in neuropsychiatric diseases. In this introduction, we illustrate a real-world application of optogenetics to mammalian behavior and physiology, delineating procedures and technologies for optogenetic control of individual components of the reward circuitry. We describe the experimental setup and protocol for integrating optogenetic modulation of dopamine neurons with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, conditioned place preference, and operant conditioning to assess the causal role of well-defined electrical and biochemical signals in reward-related behavior.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hsing-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Raag D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Airan
authors.forename: Garret D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Stuber
authors.forename: Antoine R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Adamantidis
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Lecea
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonci
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deisseroth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067289:Behavior Observation Techniques; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D008322:Mammals; D061848:Optical Imaging; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D012201:Reward