Opposite responses of mesolimbic dopamine system to controllable and incontrollable aversive experiences

Abstract It has been previously shown that rodents exposed to stressful experiences show a biphasic response of the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, that is, initial increase of DA release followed by a decrease below control levels (Puglisi-Allegra et al., 1991). Evidence is now presented showing that mice exposed to a series of foot shocks show an increase of DA release in the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) if they are allowed to control the shock experience (shocked condition) and a decrease of DA release in this brain area if they are ...