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Researchers unveils a critical role of the lateral septum in drug addiction - EurekAlert!


A team led by Dr. ZHU Yingjie from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology published a study in Neuron detailing the role of neurons in the lateral septum (LS) in reward-seeking and methamphetamine (METH) addiction. They found that LSEsr1 neurons, located in the ventral LS, drive reward-seeking behavior by promoting dopamine release. METH uniquely increases dopamine in the LS, distinguishing it from natural rewards. Silencing LSEsr1 neurons stops METH reward without affecting natural rewards, suggesting that targeting these neurons and HCN1 channels could help treat drug addiction.

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