Salvinorin A (SalA), a selective κ-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, produces dysphoria and pro-depressant like effects. These actions have been attributed to inhibition of striatal dopamine release. The dopamine transporter (DAT) regulates dopamine transmission via uptake of released neurotransmitter. KORs are apposed to DAT in dopamine nerve terminals suggesting an additional target by which...
PsychopharmacologyJune 2010Hugo A Tejeda, Vladimir I Chefer, Agustin Zapata et al.
Kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonists produce dysphoria and psychotomimesis in humans. KORs are enriched in the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions that regulate mood and cognitive function. Dysregulation of the dynorphin/KOR system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PPI), a...
PsychopharmacologyApril 2008Brenda J Gehrke, Vladimir I Chefer, Toni S Shippenberg
Acute systemic administration of salvinorin A, a naturally occurring kappa-opioid receptor (KOPr) agonist, decreases locomotion and striatal dopamine (DA) overflow. Conventional and quantitative microdialysis techniques were used to determine whether salvinorin A infusion into the dorsal striatum (DSTR) decreases DA overflow by altering DA uptake or release. The influence of repeated salvinorin...