{
  "abstract": "Neuromodulatory systems project broadly, yet computations engage specific neuronal populations. Whether neuromodulation can selectively influence task-engaged neurons remains unclear. During goal-directed navigation, neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC), the brain's principal norepinephrine source, responded at navigation onset. Concurrently, dopamine transients arose in micrometer-scale domains around LC axons in CA1. These transients preferentially enhanced nearby CA1 neurons with ramping dynamics, whose higher activity predicted later reward-anticipatory action. Brief LC activation evoked local dopamine, enhanced ramping dynamics, and delayed action initiation seconds later. Blocking D1-like, but not adrenergic, receptors weakened ramping dynamics and impaired reward anticipation. Modeling showed that selectivity can emerge when localized dopamine coincides with strong ongoing neuronal activity, without dedicated wiring. Thus, a widely projecting system can selectively modulate task-engaged neurons and shape behavior.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "D. Luo"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Cao"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Heldman"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Tian"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Y. Wang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f81z1xj5j4bp0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.02.748730",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748730v1.full",
  "id": "f81z1xj5j4bp0",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748730v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "neuroscience"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2804|Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7211885886",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748730v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-02",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f81z1xj5j4bp0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:50Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.02.748730",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.02.748730v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:neuroscience",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Spatially confined dopamine from locus coeruleus axons selectively shapes hippocampal dynamics and action timing",
  "title_text": "Spatially confined dopamine from locus coeruleus axons selectively shapes hippocampal dynamics and action timing",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:50Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f81z1xj5j4bp0",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}