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Cited by 466Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeural dynamics and brain function

Burst firing in midbrain dopaminergic neurons

Overton, P.G, Clark, D·1997·Brain Research Reviews
DOI 10.1016/s0165-0173(97)00039-8
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Abstract

Midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons fire bursts of activity in response to sensory stimuli, including those associated with primary reward. They are therefore conditional bursters - the bursts conveying, amongst other things, motivationally relevant information to the forebrain. In the forebrain, bursts give rise to a supra-additive release of dopamine, and possibly favour the release of co-localised neuropeptides. Evidence is presented that in rat DA neurons, bursts are engendered by the activity of cortically-regulated afferents. Certain factors are identified which, in combination, lead to burst production: (1) A burst of activity in EAAergic afferents to DA neurons arising from non-cortical sources, but controlled by the medial prefrontal cortex; (2) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation, producing a slow depolarising wave in the recipient neuron; (3) activation of a high threshold, dendritically located calcium conductance which produces a 'plateau potential'; (4) activation of a calcium-activated potassium conductance, which terminates the burst. These factors are argued to operate in the context of an 'optimal' level of intracellular calcium buffering for bursting. Other factors which appear to be involved in bursting in other systems, in particular a low threshold calcium conductance, are rejected as being necessary for bursting in DA neurons. The factors which do play a crucial role in burst production in DA neurons are integrated into a theory from which arises a series of hypotheses amenable to empirical investigation. Additional factors are discussed which may modulate bursting. These may either act indirectly through changes in membrane potential (or intracellular calcium concentration), or they may act directly through an interaction with certain conductances, which appear to promote or inhibit burst firing in DA neurons.

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  • In animal models, dopamine neurons in the midbrain exhibit burst firing in response to both primary reinforcers and conditioned stimuli once conditioning has been established.

    “In animal models, dopamine neurons in the midbrain exhibit burst firing in response to both primary reinforcers and conditioned stimuli once the conditioning has been established (for example, see refs.65,66).”

    From Acute social isolation evokes midbrain craving responses similar to hunger (2020) · cites this paper as [66]

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Authors
Overton, P. G., & Clark, D.
Affiliations
Swansea University (GB)
Corresponding author
Overton, P.G
ORCID
Venue
Brain Research Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1997-12
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
312-334
ISSN
0165-0173 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0165-0173(97)00039-8
OpenAlex
W2029474372
Cited by
466
References
193
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 16
FWCI
1.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Brain Research Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
burst firing, midbrain dopaminergic neurons, medial prefrontal cortex, glutamatergic afferents, NMDA receptor, calcium-activated potassium conductance, plateau potentials, intracellular calcium buffering, dopamine release, reward
MeSH terms
Animals, Dopamine, Electrophysiology, Humans, Mesencephalon, Neurons, Neurons, Afferent

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