Excitation of lateral habenula neurons as a neural mechanism underlying ethanol‐induced conditioned taste aversion

The lateral habenula (LHb) has been implicated in regulation of drug‐seeking behaviours through aversion‐mediated learning. In this study, we recorded neuronal activity in the LHb of rats during an operant task before and after ethanol‐induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to saccharin. Ethanol‐induced CTA caused significantly higher baseline firing rates in LHb neurons, as well as elevated firing rates in response to cue presentation, lever press and saccharin taste. In a separate cohort of rats, we found that bilateral LHb lesions blocked ethanol‐induced CTA. Our results strongly suggest that excitation of LHb neurons is required for ethanol‐induced CTA, and point towards a mechanism through which LHb firing may regulate voluntary ethanol consumption.