The RMTg receives an important glutamatergic input from the lateral habenula ( Jhou et al., 2009b Kaufling et al., 2009 Lavezzi and Zahm, 2011), as well as cholinergic inputs from the laterodorsal (LDTg) and pedunculopontine (PPTg) tegmental nuclei ( Yeomans, 2012 Wasserman et al., 2013 Yetnikoff et al., 2014). The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) is a bilateral mesencephalic structure localized posterior to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and dorsal to the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) ( Perrotti et al., 2005 Jhou et al., 2009b Sanchez-Catalan et al., 2014). Our results suggest that the RMTg nucleus mediates the noxious effects of the nicotine, and it could be a potential therapeutic target against tobacco addiction. Through these mechanisms, nicotine increases the excitability and synchronizes the activity of RMTg neurons.
![enrique castillo rincon medium enrique castillo rincon medium](http://elsersupremo.com/images/Esoterismo/antroposofia.jpg)
We found that nicotine promotes the persistent release of glutamate through the activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors present on glutamatergic afferents and by a mechanism involving calcium release from intracellular stores. Also, we used calcium imaging techniques to explore the effects of nicotine on multiple RMTg neurons simultaneously. In the present work, we performed electrophysiological experiments in brainstem slices to study the effect of nicotine on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents recorded from immunocytochemically identified RMTg neurons. However, the mechanisms by which nicotine induces this effect were not explored. Previously, it was reported that nicotine increases glutamate release, evoked by electric stimulation, in the RMTg nucleus. Also, it receives cholinergic inputs from the laterodorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei. The RMTg receives an important glutamatergic input from the lateral habenula. Therefore, the RMTg has been proposed as a modulator of the reward system and adaptive behaviors associated to reward learning.
![enrique castillo rincon medium enrique castillo rincon medium](https://els-jbs-prod-cdn.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/cms/attachment/0d4fde08-fd19-4174-9d1b-7e50c7e91a68/gr1_lrg.jpg)
![enrique castillo rincon medium enrique castillo rincon medium](https://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000439951953-jvi463-t240x240.jpg)
One of the main functions of the RMTg is to regulate the activity of dopamine neurons of the mesoaccumbens pathway. The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) is a bilateral structure localized in the brainstem and comprise of mainly GABAergic neurons.