Opioid agonists acting in the nucleus accumbens increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens by:
A) inhibiting GABA neurons that terminate on dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area.
B) binding to opioid receptors on dopamine axon terminals.
C) by inhibiting glutamate neurons which no longer inhibit GABA neurons acting on dopamine neurons in the nucleus accumbens.
D) inhibiting opioid neurons which terminate in the ventral tegmental area.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Opioid agonists increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens primarily by inhibiting GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). These GABA neurons normally inhibit dopaminergic neurons. When opioids inhibit these GABA neurons, the inhibition on dopaminergic neurons is reduced, leading to an increase in dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Opioid Agonists Acting in the Nucleus Accumbens Increase Dopamine Levels