κ-Opioid Receptor Modulation of GABAergic Inputs onto Ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray Dopamine Neurons

In this study, we sought to determine the impact of KOR signaling on ­GABAergic inputs o nto vlPAG DA neurons, and the mechanism through which KOR impacts these inputs. We found that activation of KOR reduced GABAergic transmission onto vlPAG DA neurons. In addition, our data suggest this effect is mediated presynaptically via the G protein βγ-subunit. They raise the possibility that KOR activation disinhibits ­vlPAG DA neurons, which could lead to altered regulation of pain-related behaviors.Mol Neuropsychiatry
Source: Molecular Neuropsychiatry - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research