Reduced dopamine release in Dcc haploinsufficiency male mice abolishes the rewarding effects of cocaine but not those of morphine and ethanol.

These findings show that reduced drug-induced mesolimbic dopamine in Dcc haploinsufficient male mice protects specifically against the rewarding effects of stimulant drugs, but not against the rewarding properties of morphine and ethanol. These results suggest that these drugs exert their rewarding effect via different brain circuits.