Dopamine-producing neurons in the movement system are needed for activity before mealtime

Conditional deletion of tyrosine hydroxylase in specific dopamine neurons led to a significant loss of anticipatory locomotion in mice.

• Broad deletion of tyrosine hydroxylase in dopamine transporter-expressing neurons nearly abolished food-anticipatory activity (FAA).
• Restoration of tyrosine hydroxylase in substantia nigra dopamine neurons rescued anticipatory locomotion.
• Deletion of tyrosine hydroxylase from several large dopamine neuron populations had little effect on FAA.
• Targeted deletion in approximately 25% of substantia nigra dopamine neurons significantly suppressed FAA.
• Mice with targeted deletion showed a loss of anticipatory locomotion but retained substantial anticipatory food-seeking behavior.
• Findings indicate a specific Calbindin1+ dopamine population is necessary for anticipatory locomotion.

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