Psychostimulant Sensitization

We examine how cholinergic interneuron (CIN)-specific deletion of D2 receptors affects dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) dynamics in response to repeated psychostimulant exposure. Using dual-color photometry, we find that mice lacking D2 receptors on CINs fail to sensitize DA and ACh signaling but still develop behavioral sensitization, albeit more slowly. This suggests behavioral sensitization occurs independently from neuromodulatory sensitization driven by CIN-expressed D2 receptors.

Apr 3, 2025