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Dopamine neurones of the ventral tegmentum project to both medial and lateral habenula

Some implications for habenular function

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Summary

Using the techniques of microdissection and microradiochemical assay for catecholamines, it has been shown that a specific subgroup of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurones project to the medial sector of lateral habenula. In addition a new dopamine pathway, arising from midline VTA neurones, has been shown to project to the medial sector of medial habenula. These findings are discussed and some implications for habenular functions are stated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, England

    O. T. Phillipson MD & C. J. Pycock

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  1. O. T. Phillipson MD
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  2. C. J. Pycock
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Supported by Wellcome Trust

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Phillipson, O.T., Pycock, C.J. Dopamine neurones of the ventral tegmentum project to both medial and lateral habenula. Exp Brain Res 45, 89–94 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235766

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235766

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