Fig. 6. Dopaminergic reward system.

After IS with or without ethanol exposure for 28 days, mice were euthanized by transcardial perfusion. Dopaminergic signals were assessed by immunofluorescence analysis of TH and dopamine in the VTA (A), and their signals were semiquantified (B and C). SNc, substantia nigra pars compacta. The data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3). **P < 0.01 compared to the unstressed mice, and #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01 compared to the mice not exposed to ethanol.