Opiates are thought to disinhibit dopaminergic neurons thereby increasing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Opiates bind to opioid receptors, which are located on GABAergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens. The activation of these receptors leads to the inhibition of GABAergic neurons, which in turn disinhibits dopaminergic neurons, leading to an increase in dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Opiates Are Thought to Disinhibit Dopaminergic Neurons Thereby Increasing Dopamine