Fig. 8.

Theoretical framework for the involvement of α6*-nAChRs in EtOH effects on DA release in the mesolimbic pathway. Dopamine neurons in the VTA project to the NAc (blue). Dopamine release in the NAc is modulated by CINs (brown). Dogma maintains that α6*-nAChRs are located on DAergic terminals in the NAc, and we have shown previously that they are also expressed on GABA terminals to some VTA GABA neurons (green). Based on our findings demonstrating enhancement of CIN firing rate by EtOH via α6*-nAChRs, we hypothesize that the enhancement of DA release by EtOH, and ultimately EtOH reward, is a result increased NAc CIN activity subsequent to reduction of VTA-NAc GABAergic transmission