In summary, we have shown that the muscarinic autoreceptors of the cholinergic input to the VTA play a significant role in regulating motivated behaviors for either natural rewards or psychostimulants, such as cocaine. Thus, pharmacological targeting of muscarinic receptors could provide an important tool for regulating cocaine seeking. Specific targets could include either the cell bodies in the LDTg or the presynaptic axons from the LDTg innervating DA cells in the VTA. A continued challenge, however, will be to identify ways to feasibly target specific cells types or anatomical regions in human treatment.
