Figure 1.

Simplified circuitry of reward and aversive responses of the LHb to drug intake. (A) Acute injections of cocaine activate the lateral VTA inducing DA release to the lateral NAc (shell) leading in a reward response. The LHb receives GABAergic and DAergic fibers from the VTA that inhibit the LHb. (B) Cocaine also has a delayed aversive effect that follows the reward response. Here, the LHb is activated by several glutamatergic excitatory inputs from BG, mPFC, and medial VTA that will be facilitated by cocaine. BG, basal ganglia; Med, median; mPFC, medial prefrontal cortex; Lat, lateral.