Glutamate transmission in addiction

Cortico-striatal glutamate transmission has been implicated in both the initiation and expression of addiction related behaviors, such as locornotor sensitization and drUg-seeking. While glUtarnate transmission onto dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area undergoes transient plasticity important for establishing addiction-related behaviors, glutamatergic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens is critical for the expression of these behaviors. This information points to the value of exploring pharmacotherapeutic manipulation of glutamate plasticity in treating drug addiction. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.