The amygdala-ventral pallidum pathway contributes to a hypodopaminergic state in the ventral tegmental area during protracted abstinence from chronic cocaine.

Our study sheds new lights on neuroadaptations occurring during incubation of craving leading to relapse. In particular, we describe the involvement of the BLA-VP pathway in cocaine-induced decreases of DA activity in the VTA. This study adds important information about the specific brain network dysfunctions underlying hypodopaminergic activity during abstinence.