Fig. 5.

VTA-GABA neuron activation does not impair sucrose consumption or locomotor behavior, and clozapine (CZP) has no effect on the incentive cue (IC) task. Data presented as mean ± SEM. a Total volume of sucrose (ml) during the first 2 min of a free-drinking session is equivalent to that obtained during an entire IC session; however, CNO decreased only the total volume consumed only during the IC task (t₁₆ = 10.97, p < 0.0001) and not free-drinking. b Distance traveled (normalized as a percent of saline control) during a 20-min open-field locomotor test did not statistically differ between saline and CNO pretreatment. c Rats injected with a GFP sham virus into the VTA did not show a behavioral effect after systemic pretreatment with 0.3 mg/kg i.p. CZP across IC task metrics. Asterisks represent significant differences (****p < 0.0001)