Document Detail


Decreased firing frequency of midbrain dopamine neurons in mice lacking mu opioid receptors.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15926936     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Dopamine neurons originating in the midbrain and projecting to cortico-limbic and motor structures are one of the major neuronal substrates implicated in the reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse. The output of this system is largely determined by its impulse activity (amount and pattern of firing activity). Several intrinsic and synaptic factors can influence dopamine neuronal activity and, consequently, addiction liability. Pharmacological studies indicate that mu-opioid receptors and their activation by endogenous opioids may play an important role. In the present study, we use a genetic approach to better understand the role of mu-opioid receptors in modulating dopamine neuronal activity in vivo. Using in vivo extracellular single-unit recordings, we show that mice lacking mu-opioid receptors exhibit lower firing rates of dopamine neurons compared with their wild-type littermates. Although we observed no overall changes in bursting activity compared with wild-type mice, animals lacking mu-opioid receptors exhibited a higher proportion of regular-spiking cells that lacked bursting activity. These findings are the first to emphasize the critical role of mu-opioid receptors in modulating action potential output of dopamine neurons in vivo using a genetic approach. They also provide a possible underlying mechanism for the decreased reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse that was previously observed in mice lacking mu-opioid receptors.
Authors:
Daniel S Mathon; Geert M J Ramakers; John E Pintar; Michela Marinelli
Related Documents :
2553926 - A mu-specific opioid peptide agonist increases excitability of pyramidal neurons in unt...
19879656 - Autoantibodies to the delta-opioid receptor function as opioid agonists and display imm...
8208376 - Cholinoreceptor neurons of the snail: identification, plasticity, and its regulation by...
15567186 - Agonist-specific regulation of the delta-opioid receptor.
21777626 - Estrogen-induced upregulation of sftpb requires transcriptional control of neuregulin r...
2553926 - A mu-specific opioid peptide agonist increases excitability of pyramidal neurons in unt...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The European journal of neuroscience     Volume:  21     ISSN:  0953-816X     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Neurosci.     Publication Date:  2005 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-06-01     Completed Date:  2005-08-17     Revised Date:  2007-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8918110     Medline TA:  Eur J Neurosci     Country:  France    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  2883-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Action Potentials / physiology
Animals
Crosses, Genetic
Dopamine / physiology*
Mesencephalon / physiology*
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Neurons / physiology*
Reaction Time
Receptors, Opioid, mu / deficiency*,  genetics
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
DA-09040/DA/NIDA NIH HHS; DA-15537/DA/NIDA NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Receptors, Opioid, mu

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Transient, powerful pressures are generated in the brain by a rotational acceleration impulse to the...
Next Document:  Persistent alterations in neuropeptide Y release in the paraventricular nucleus of rats subjected to...