The system the authors use to answer the question is optogenetics. Optogenetics is when
one controls cells that have been injected with ion channels that respond to light. These ion channels are called light-sensitive ion channels. This system allows for gene disruption within the targeted cells in order to provide stimulus to the synaptic terminals to have dopamine released into them. While this is taking place scientists can then record the postsynaptic currents within the synapses that have dopamine in them. This can be specifically used to target the dopamine neurons in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. This can also target the cells in mice that do not have VGLUT2 in their neurons that still produce dopamine. VGLUT2 stands for vesicular glutamate transporters. They allow glutamate to be put into synaptic vesicles along with secretory vesicles. This is so that glutamate can be released into the synaptic terminals.
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