Figure 3.
Susceptible and unsusceptible phenotypes are associated with different activity profiles in the VTA. In male mice, two phenotypes are induced by social defeat. The susceptible phenotype is associated with increased burst activity by VTA neurons and increased BDNF release in the NAc. Increased dopamine release in the NAc has been observed during social defeat, but has not yet been measured during social interaction tests following social defeat. Unsuceptible mice increase the expression of K+ channels, which prevents increased burst activity and subsequent changes in BDNF release.