GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) express the α1 subunit, whereas dopaminergic neurons in the VTA predominantly express the α3 subunit. Binding of benzodiazepines to the α1-containing GABAA receptors on GABAergic VTA neurons leads to a reduction of the activity of these cells, and thus reduced release of GABA, which results in a disinhibition of the dopaminergic VTA neurons and a resulting increase in DA release in the ventral striatum. In principle, benzodiazepines likely have functionally opposing actions via the α1-containing GABAA receptors on GABAergic neurons and on α3-containing GABAA receptors on the dopaminergic neurons of the VTA. However, the effect on the α1-containing GABAA receptors on the dopaminergic neuron is functionally predominant.