Abstract
Although the distribution of opioid receptors is central to the patch-matrix model of neostriatal organization, it has been unclear whether these receptors are located post-synaptically. Moreover, it has not yet been clarified whether opioid receptor activation in neostriatum results in the modulation of calcium and/or potassium conductances. To test this, neostriatal neurons were acutely isolated and their sensitivity to opioid receptor agonists determined. At nanomolar. At nanomolar concentrations, both the μ-agonist [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO) and the δ-agonist [d-Pen2, d-Pen5]-enkephalin (DPEPE) reversibly decreased whole-cell calcium currents in medium-sized neurons. These effects were blocked by the opiate antagonist naloxone. These findings argue that activation of post-synaptic, opioid receptors is capable of modulating the excitability of neostriatal neurons.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 339-343 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 642 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 11 1994 |
Keywords
- Basal ganglia
- High-voltage activated (HVA) current
- Opioid peptide
- Whole-cell patch clamp
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)