ACh/Dopamine Crosstalk in Motor Control and Reward: A Crucial Role for α6-Containing Nicotinic Receptors?

The midbrain dopaminergic system is a key element in the control of motor activity, cognition, and the motivational effects of drugs of abuse, including nicotine. In this issue of Neuron, Drenan et al. find that α6-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors might selectively activate mesolimbic and mesostriatal dopaminergic neurons, enhancing striatal dopamine release and its behavioral consequences.