LIN Seminar: “Midbrain Endocannabinoids Actuate Dopamine-based Action Selection” by Miguel Luján (UIC)
September 4, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location
SELE 4289
Calendar
Download iCal FilePlease join us Sept. 4, 2025 at 4pm in SELE 4289 for a LIN Seminar featuring "Midbrain Endocannabinoids Actuate Dopamine-based Action Selection" by Dr. Miguel Luján (UIC).
Host: Mitch Roitman
Abstract: Quickly adapting behavior to constantly evolving environmental demands is key for survival. In the brain, dopamine signals influence behavior by reinforcing actions that procure rewards and avoid adverse outcomes. Here we show that midbrain endocannabinoid mobilization is the conditio sine qua non of dopamine-mediated behavioral invigoration. Reward- and punishment-predictive signals elicit retrograde release of the principal brain endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), from ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, a process we show is necessary for striatal dopamine release to engage rapid conditioned responses. This temporally-constrained signal targets cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) located on inhibitory terminals arising from the ventral pallidum. We describe that 2-AG/CB1R communication does not influence dopamine-based error signaling but rather second-to-second adjustments in action selection required to learn from detected errors. These findings reveal an endocannabinoid-mediated temporal filter exploited by dopamine neurons to overcome incoming inhibitory synaptic drive, orchestrate rapid striatal dopamine release events, and enable adaptive action selection informed by exteroceptive cues.
Date posted
Aug 7, 2025
Date updated
Aug 19, 2025