Figure 8.

Optical activation of SNr GABA neurons inhibits heroin reward and heroin-primed reinstatement in vGAT-cre mice. A, B, The general experimental procedures. C, Representative images showing AAV-ChR2-eYFP expression in SNr GABA neurons. D, Representative heroin self-administration records in the presence or absence of optical stimulation of SNr GABA neurons. E, Response-contingent optical activation of SNr GABA neurons potentiated heroin self-administration and shifted the heroin dose–response curve upward in vGAT-cre mice (n = 8). F, Response-contingent optical activation of SNr GABA neurons failed to alter food self-administration. G, Response-contingent optical activation of SNr GABA neurons inhibited heroin-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in mice with a history of heroin self-administration. *p < 0.05 as compared to the Laser Off condition (E) or Extinction (G). ^#p < 0.05 as compared to Laser Off conditions (G).